Major fire at demolition yard in Haarlem leads to smoke and stench in part of IJmond

NOS News•today, 12:43•Amended today, 2:04 PM

A major fire is raging at a car and ship scrapyard in Haarlem. As far as we know, no one was injured. The safety region has sent two NL Alerts in which local residents in part of the IJmond are advised to keep their windows and doors closed and to switch off ventilation systems.

The fire on the Waarderpolder industrial estate broke out around 11.30 am due to an unknown cause, NH reports. Flames soon erupted from the car and ship wrecks on the site.

The fire brigade is having great difficulty putting out the fire. “It is a considerable mountain of scrap metal that is on fire. We are still trying to extinguish the fire for several hours, so there is no indication yet that the fire will be contained or the smoke will decrease,” said a spokesperson. A drone is also being used to fight the fire.

The wind from a southeasterly direction causes the smoke and stench to spread. Initially, this mainly meant inconvenience for the residents of neighborhoods in Haarlem-Noord, the reason for the first NL Alert.

A second NL Alert has now been issued for the area around Velsen-Zuid, Driehuis and Velserbroek. Local residents are now also advised to stay away from smoke.