A fierce fire broke out in a cattle barn in Peer early on Saturday morning at around 3:00.
The barn was part of a farm on Monseigneur Morisstraat in Peer. According to Mayor Steven Matheï (CD&V), an estimated thirty cows did not survive the blaze. The two residents managed to leave the living quarters in time and were unharmed.
Firefighters from the Noord-Limburg rescue zone prevented the flames from spreading to the farmhouse, but due to smoke and water damage, that part is temporarily uninhabitable. The Oost-Limburg rescue zone assisted with the firefighting efforts.
Upon arrival, the affected barn was engulfed in flames. The roof of the barn contained asbestos. On Saturday afternoon, an asbestos expert and a specialised firm will assess the extent of asbestos contamination on the nearby fields. The pollution has remained confined to the farmer’s property, and special equipment will be used to remove the contaminating particles. The cause of the fire is still unknown.
