A fire broke out around midday at a waste processing company on the Vlothavenweg in Westpoort, sending a smell of burning plastic across large parts of Amsterdam.
Several fire trucks responded and crews are still working to bring the blaze under control.
A spokesperson said the fire is releasing a lot of smoke along with a chemical odor.
Anyone bothered by the smoke is advised to close windows and doors and switch off mechanical ventilation.
Reports from across the city
Tips about the plastic smell have come in from the Spaarndammerbuurt, the Houthavens, and the Jordaan.
Residents in Oost and even as far as Weesp have also noticed it.
One person in the Spaarndammerbuurt said it smelled as if a plastic factory were on fire.
Wind direction often carries industrial smoke from the western harbor area toward central and eastern neighborhoods.
Where the fire is
Westpoort is the large industrial and port zone on Amsterdam’s western edge, home to many waste and logistics firms.
Fires at waste-handling sites can produce dense smoke that travels farther than people expect, especially on drier days.
The City of Amsterdam regularly reminds residents near industrial zones to follow fire-service advice when smoke is present.
No injuries or further details on the cause have been released so far.
People in affected areas can check local updates if the smell lingers into the evening.
Practical steps for now
Closing windows and turning off ventilation remains the main recommendation while crews finish extinguishing the fire.
The odor should ease once the smoke production drops and the wind shifts.
Residents who feel unwell from the smoke are advised to move to a better-ventilated space or contact their doctor if symptoms persist.
