Den Helder strewn with soot particles after fire: “Clumps throughout the garden”

One of the people who found soot particles is Jan Bles. He and his wife Ineken live about four kilometers from the shed and found pieces of soot in their garden. Although the couple has already largely cleaned up the garden, they are concerned about whether it could do any harm.

“There are such chunks all over the garden,” says Ineke, pointing out a distance of more than ten centimeters with her hand. “It’s littered actually.” In addition to the large soot particles, there are also many small soot particles scattered throughout the city.

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A sweeper has been deployed in the street where Jan and Ineke live. But he only cleans the street. Jan has started cleaning in and around his garden himself. “Of course you can easily pick up the large chunks. That’s why I only do that for a while.”

While cleaning, he wears a face mask to protect himself. “Look, there’s a very large piece here. Well, you don’t know whether it is asbestos.”

Concerns about the consequences of asbestos

The municipality reports that the soot particles probably consist of burned insulation material. However, the municipality of Den Helder calls on all residents not to touch the fallen material. Jan did not want to wait any longer and therefore cleaned the garden.

Still, the couple is not reassured: “I wonder all the time whether the municipality knows anything more,” says Ineke. “The Navy here in Den Helder has had to deal with asbestos. Then you hear about asbestos lungs and I don’t know what the consequences are.”

The security region let you know this morning that asbestos has been found at Nieuweweg 7 to 15. The residents have been informed about this.

View images of the fire below