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By KATHERINE LAWTON, NEWS REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
A huge blaze has engulfed the main stage at one of Europe’s largest music festivals days before it was set to begin.
An operation has been launched to control the inferno after it erupted on the stage at Tomorrowland in Belgium.
Dramatic footage shows the moment the stage exploded into a fireball, before a gigantic plume of smoke filled the air and emergency services stormed the area.
The festival had been due to begin on Friday – but it remains unclear whether organisers will be able to repair the damage in time for opening night.
Some 100,000 participants are expected in the town of Boom, some 16 kilometres (10 miles) south of the port city, with many planning to camp on site.
The festival’s ‘DreamVille’ campsite will open as planned on Thursday, organisers said.
About 1,000 staff members were working at the site at the time of the blaze, although the festival has confirmed no one was injured.
Locals have been urged to close all windows and doors until the fire is under control.
Are YOU affected? Email katherine.lawton@mailonline.co.uk
A huge blaze has engulfed the main stage at Tomorrowland festival in Belgium
An operation has been launched to control the inferno after it erupted on the stage at the major festival
Smoke caused by the fire pictured at the festival site of Tomorrowland electronic music festival
Locals have been urged to close all windows and doors until the fire is under control
A photo of the aftermath of the blaze shows the stage’s hollow framework
The cause of the blaze is unknown, but witnesses reported hearing fireworks going off as the fire started.
Several dozen DJs and electronic music stars, such as David Guetta, Lost Frequencies, Armin Van Buuren, and Charlotte de Witte, are to perform from Friday for the first weekend, with two-thirds of the events split between the now destroyed ‘Main Stage’ and the ‘Freedom Stage.’
Andrea Fiamberti, from Kent, told MailOnline she was set to fly to Belgium for the festival on Friday night but is now unsure whether her trip will go ahead. She added she has not had communication on whether or not the event will take place.
It is not the first time the festival has experienced a major fire – with another blaze erupting in 2017, forcing more than 22,000 people to evacuate the grounds.
Tomorrowland said in a statement: ‘Due to a serious incident and fire on the Tomorrowland Mainstage, our beloved Mainstage has been severely damaged.
‘We can confirm that no one was injured during the incident.
‘We can announce that, DreamVille (campsite) will open tomorrow as planned and will be ready for all DreamVille visitors.
‘All Global Journey activities in Brussels and Antwerp will take place as planned.
‘We are focused on finding solutions for the festival weekend (Friday – Saturday – Sunday).
‘More updates and detailed information will be communicated as soon as possible.’
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
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