Overview
- The blaze broke out on the eighth floor of a 10-storey block on August Vermeylenlaan in Antwerp’s Linkeroever after an emergency call at 9:53 a.m. on Wednesday, and authorities say several people have died though no final toll has been released.
- Fire Zone Antwerp led a multi-zone response that included more than 10 fire engines, support from Waasland Emergency Zone, Fire Zone Rand, Emergency Zone Rivierenland and Civil Protection.
- The building, home to more than 200 people, was evacuated and temporary accommodation was arranged while the Medical Disaster Plan was activated to coordinate hospital capacity and casualty care.
- Television footage showed residents escaping through windows and hanging from balconies as thick smoke filled the block, and police warned nearby residents to close windows, doors and ventilation because of the smoke.
- Authorities have not yet determined a cause and search-and-rescue operations remain under way as investigators work to account for occupants and assess damage, with wider displacement and hospital strain expected in the short term.