Ecco Leather was destroyed by fire and with that the last tannery in Dongen was lost. Mayor Hans Slagboom hopes that Ecco Leather will rebuild the factory in the village. “The soul of Dongen suffers when the tannery disappears,” he says. Dongen is traditionally known as the center of tanneries. “There was only one left.”
The re -extinguishing is still in full swing on Monday afternoon, but there is no longer any question of a fire. There are only some small clouds of smoke on the spot where a fierce fire raged on Sunday night.
According to Mayor Slagboom, the impact on the area is great. “I am just looking at what is left of the production halls, but that is very little,” he says. And that is a shame, the mayor believes. He sees Ecco Leather as the last really large tanneries in Dongen.
“Dongen has a history of dozens of tanneries, certainly in built -up areas. They have all disappeared in recent decades. But there was another about it. That is Ecco. For the symbolism and the soul of Dongen it would be a shame if the last tannery would also disappear,” the mayor concludes.
ECCO ‘Deeply Sadness’
Whether ECCO is planning to re -build the factory in Dongen is unclear. The international headquarters from Denmark only says it is ‘deeply sad’ by the fire. “Our focus is now with our employees and when resuming the operation,” said a spokesperson.
Largest in the Netherlands
Chairman Rinus Krijnen of Museum De Looierij in Dongen says that the fire in Ecco Leather was lost in the largest tannery in the Netherlands. He calls it a modern factory with sustainable techniques and a large employer in the area. “We lose a very important partner of the museum. They help us with leather and the knowledge. It is a loss for the museum,” says Krijnen.
Flames hit the building on Sunday evening and thick smoke was released. The roof collapsed, after which the entire building finally caught fire and could not be saved anymore. The fire brigade had the building on Vierbundersweg burned out. The fire was under control around half -six. Thousands of liters of oil and several tons of chemicals were burned in the fire.
No victims
There were no injuries, reports Mayor Slagboom. “We are very shocked and live with all those involved. We are relieved that there were no victims. We realize that the fire still has a great impact on local residents, surrounding companies and farmers in the coming period.”
During the day there can still be odor nuisance on Monday. The smell contains no hazardous substances.
