Tomorrowland festival has been thrown into chaos as as a huge fire ripped through the main stage and completely destroyed it, just two days before revellers are due to be let in
A huge fire has “severely damaged” the main stage at Tomorrowland festival.
A huge fire ripped through the stage at the iconic European dance festival in Boom, Belgium on Wednesday (July 16). Shocking footage shows a towering blaze and large plumes of smoke billowing over the festival site.
The ice-themed stage has been destroyed by the blaze, just two days before revellers were due to arrive for the grand opening. Firefighters reportedly arrived on the scene after 6pm to try and extinguish the flames with hoses.
Luckily, nobody was injured in the blaze and festival bosses have confirmed the festival campsite will still open as planned on Thursday (July 17). Festival organisers said: “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 (Thursday, July 17) 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.”
While the cause of the fire is currently unknown, it has been suggested it may have involved the firework cannons due to go off during the festival. Sources told local outlet GVA that ‘something may have gone wrong during the testing of firework cannons’.
It’s understood around 1,000 employees were working at the site at the time of the fire, but no members of public were inside the festival grounds. Tomorrowland spokeswoman Debby Wilmsen confirmed on Wednesday evening that the festival’s main stage was still on fire.
She told told local outlet De Telegraaf: “Emergency services are on site. Our top priority now is safety.”
Residents nearby have reportedly been asked to close their windows and doors as the fire is not yet under control (at the time of writing). The mayor of Boom, Jeroen Baert has reportedly cancelled his holiday in Germany and will be returning to handle the fall out from the fire.
Thousands of revellers make their way to the electronic dance festival each year. Last year, it welcomed an estimated 400,000 people from more than 200 countries.
In videos shared online, fireworks could be heard popping off during the fire, although it is not confirmed if they are directly linked to the inferno. Daily Star has contacted Tomorrowland festival for comment.
Videos have shown the flames destroying the right side of the stage, suggesting that’s where it originated. Festival staff were seen moving away from the main stage towards a hill as the blaze continued.
The likes of DJ Martin Garrix are due to the headline the main stage on Friday night. Other huge stars due to perform include David Guetta, Steve Aoki and Charlotte de Witte.
Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here.
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
