The train station and primary school in the Overijssel village of Vroomshoop have been closed following a major fire that spread “a considerable amount” of asbestos over a wide area, local broadcaster RTV Oost said on Monday.

In total, asbestos has been found in 500 gardens and it will take weeks to clear up, officials say.

Trains between Almelo and Vroomshoop have been canceled while asbestos is cleared up from the track by specialist cleaners. That is expected to take until at least Friday.

The primary school is closed, playgrounds are shut and locals have been told not to eat anything growing in their vegetable gardens. Children have also been warned not to play outside and people warned leave their shoes at the front door, to prevent spreading the dust to their homes.

Specialists will also visit all the properties in the village to clear up the asbestos, “from the gutter to garden and the roofs”, mayor Hans Broekhuizen said. He urged locals to leave it up to the experts and not to try to clean up the asbestos themselves.

The fire broke out around 4 am in a storage centre for garden furniture which completely collapsed during the blaze. The cause of the fire has not yet been established.