A huge blaze has ripped through the main stage of Tomorrowland in Belgium, just two days before the festival was due to open.
Dramatic footage showed flames engulfing the festival’s huge main stage, sending thick black smoke into the air over the town of Boom, which sits between Antwerp and Brussels.
“Due to a serious incident and fire on the Tomorrowland Mainstage, our beloved Mainstage has been severely damaged,” the festival confirmed on its social media accounts. “We can confirm that no one was injured during the incident.”
Over 400,000 people are expected to visit Tomorrowland over the next two weekends.
The festival, known for its eccentric themes, had been designed to resemble “a magical universe made entirely out of ice,” according to Tomorrowland’s website.
Footage of the burning main stage showed props designed to look like icy towers being destroyed in the fire.
Some of the world’s most popular DJs were set to appear on the stage this weekend, including Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Fisher, Swedish House Mafia and Steve Aoki.
Here is everything we know about what happened and what happens next:
What happened?
A blaze took hold and engulfed the main stage of the events which was built up to look like ice blocks.
Several hundred firefighters had fought to save the stage from the flames, but it was too avail as the fire had already taken hold and spread to damage the area.
No one was hurt in the incident, and Antwerp prosecutors have opened an investigation, though they said the fire appeared accidental.
The cause of what started the blaze is not thought to be known just yet.
Will the festival still go ahead?
The festival is still going ahead, with organisers working hard to get the festival back up and running in the coming days.
They have said the campsite will be open as planned on Thursday, and said it is “working towards solutions” to allow the festival to go ahead, though said there may be changes for when music begins at the site at the weekend.
In a statement they said: ““We can announce that DreamVille 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.”
