Possible Cause of Tomorrowland Mainstage Fire Revealed
BOOM, Belgium — New details have emerged regarding the devastating fire that destroyed Tomorrowland's iconic Orbyz Mainstage just days before the festival opened its gates.
According to reports by Belgian media, including HLN and ATV, investigators believe the fire may have started after ethanol accidentally leaked during the testing or installation of the stage's flame effects. Ethanol is a highly flammable liquid commonly used in special effects, and the leak is currently being considered as a possible cause of the blaze.
At this stage, the official investigation is still ongoing, and authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the fire.
Millions of Euros in Damage
The fire rapidly engulfed large sections of the spectacular Mainstage, causing damage estimated to be worth many millions of euros. Images from the scene showed enormous flames and thick black smoke consuming much of the structure.
Despite the destruction, Tomorrowland managed to continue after organizers built an alternative Mainstage in an impressive race against time.
Safety Analysis Prevented a Larger Disaster
One of the most remarkable revelations is that the festival was able to continue following an extensive risk assessment carried out by the University of Antwerp.
According to the report, experts concluded that even if the fire had broken out while the festival was in progress, visitors would likely have been able to reach safe zones in time, meaning the incident was not expected to result in casualties under those circumstances.
The analysis played a crucial role in the decision to allow Tomorrowland to proceed with the event despite the enormous damage.
Investigation Continues
While the ethanol leak is currently being reported as the most likely explanation, investigators continue to examine exactly how the fire started and whether safety procedures were correctly followed during the testing of the pyrotechnic systems.
Further updates are expected once the official investigation has been completed.