A brush fire swept through coastal dunes between Wenduine and Blankenberge on Sunday afternoon, spreading across a 300-metre stretch near the Kustbaan roadway and forcing a temporary shutdown of the region's tram line.
The blaze broke out shortly after 4 p.m. local time on 12 July 2026, near the Wrakhoutbrug between the two seaside towns. Strong winds fanned the flames, though firefighters managed to contain the fire rapidly. Coastal tram services between Ostend and Knokke-Heist were suspended, and De Lijn deployed replacement buses while the tracks were blocked. Tram traffic resumed in both directions by around 6:30 p.m.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, though early indications suggest a natural origin.