It will be Saturday morning before the asbestos released in a fire in Roermond will be cleared up, allowing town centre shops to reopen, council official Gerard IJff said on Wednesday afternoon.

The emergency regulations introduced on Wednesday morning will continue until then, meaning shops in the affected areas cannot open.

A large part of the town centre has been closed off after asbestos was found over a wide area. It was released in the blaze at a boat shed where 60 yachts were being kept for the winter.

People have been told to stay indoors in the affected area and must go through a special decontamination zone if they want to leave. They are also being recommended to leave their shoes outside.

The train station will also remain closed until at least 12 noon on Thursday.

RTL news said Roermond is like a ghost city, with shops, restaurants and schools all closed.