Industrial Fire Damage Restoration at a Major Belgian Bakery

Case study from the archive · First published in 2009

Following a major fire at one of Belgium’s largest industrial bakeries, BELFOR carried out large-scale fire damage restoration to protect critical production equipment and minimise business interruption. Despite two-thirds of the site being destroyed and six production lines being damaged, the first affected line was back in operation just nine days after BELFOR’s intervention began.

The biggest damage that BELFOR Belgium ever had to deal with occurred due to a fire disaster at one of the country’s largest industrial bakeries last autumn. The company, which supplies several supermarket chains with bakery products, has 1,300 employees. The magnitude of the fire required immediate evacuation of the residents, the damage for the company was immense. How did those involved cope with this disaster?

Alarm at 5 am

It happened in the early hours of the morning: all is quiet in a Belgian town until, at 5 o’clock, fire breaks out. People living nearby are abruptly awoken from their peaceful Sunday morning slumber and told to keep windows and doors shut. Workers at the industrial bakery are able to escape the fire. No one is injured. 500 people are evacuated.

Five hours later the fire brigade are still fighting the blaze. The damage is already estimated to total several million euros. The most important task is to ensure that the fire cannot reach the area where ammonia is stored. Reinforcements are called in from five neighbouring towns.

Rapid Response Limits Fire and Corrosion Damage

Smoke is still drifting from the premises when the BELFOR experts arrive. The first measure to be taken: stop the corrosion. A BELFOR team of 50 specialists is involved in the huge operation two days after the damage. 40,000 cubic metres of dry air are applied to the site. Rapid readiness to take action, constant availability of the appropriate resources, provision of the right technical equipment – all of these features are specialities of BELFOR that characterise professional restoration.

50 Restoration Experts Mobilised to Protect Production Equipment

The BELFOR experts arrive at the premises to assess the situation. Twothirds of the site has indeed been destroyed and six production lines have been damaged, but they’ve been saved. Before long, everyone agrees that corrosion protection is now the most important task. 50 restoration experts are on site. A few days later there will be more than double that number.

First Damaged Production Line Restarts After Just Nine Days

It is a huge operation, but it’s worth it. Just nine days after the start of our intervention, the company is able to restart the first damaged production line. It can therefore once again fully supply the two big Belgian supermarket chains with baked goods. Bread and sandwiches are back on the shelves – just as before.

Fire Damage Restoration Meets Strict Food Industry Requirements

This is how BELFOR got the damage under control. During the restoration of the most important production machinery, the other facilities are looked after at the same time. Here it is necessary to observe the strict requirements applicable to the Belgian food industry.

On-Site Project Management Coordinates a Complex Restoration

The project team, consisting of the client, surveyor, insurance expert, broker, and of course the BELFOR project manager, meets once weekly. The topics covered include current status reports and defining what the next important steps are. No matter what the subject of discussion is, safety and setting priorities are always high on the agenda day after day.

Production Lines Fully Restored Following the Major Fire

After all, the priorities can change on an hourly basis. This is why the BELFOR project manager has a mobile office on site. He can be contacted at all times, and is always aware of what is going on. He constantly keeps his eye on this highly complex “Mission Restoration”, at all levels.

Great commitment – to the benefit of everyone

Today BELFOR is able to hand all of the production lines back to the client – completely restored and in top condition. The client gives BELFOR 10 out of 10 for its work – top marks! BELFOR invoiced Euro 1.8 million for the job.