Why it sometimes smells like burning in some streets in and around Leuven in the evening: "The smell of the stove lingers"

Residents in Leuven report a burning smell in the evenings, attributed to wood stoves. The fire department explains that the odor is due to stagnant air and increased use of wood stoves as energy prices rise. Poor combustion when restarting stoves after a long period can also contribute to the smell. While the odor does not indicate a fire, wood smoke can harm air quality. The fire department emphasizes the importance of regular maintenance of wood stoves to prevent chimney fires, especially at the start of the heating season.