At around 10:40 PM, the police received reports from several passersby who saw that the dune was on fire. Shortly before, the sound of fireworks had been heard by various witnesses. The fire, which started on the seaside of the dunes, quickly spread due to the strong wind.  Six fire engines from Koudekerke, Middelburg (Stromenweg), Oostkapelle, Vlissingen, Westkapelle, and Zoutelande were deployed along with two water tankers from Oost-Souburg and Serooskerke to fight the fire.
At around 11:25 PM, the fire brigade declared the fire under control. Part of the fire brigade returned to the station at 11:45 PM, while four fire engines remained for mop-up operations. The affected area was ultimately about three football fields large.
In the dunes, near where the fire originated, remnants of a firework pot were found. The police are investigating whether the responsible parties can still be traced.