In brief
A catastrophic blaze broke out in the Linkeroever district of Antwerp, killing five residents of a 10‑storey apartment block. Thick smoke forced 200 residents to stay locked in their units, while emergency crews evacuated 80 flats under difficult conditions. The fire was traced to a technical fault on the ground floor, and the scene was later visited by King Philippe. Prime Minister De Wever and police spokespeople expressed condolences, while parliament held a minute of silence for the victims. The incident underscores urban safety concerns and the critical role of rapid emergency response.
The 10‑storey apartment block in Antwerp’s Linkeroever district erupted in a deadly fire just before 10:00 local time on Wednesday, claiming the lives of five residents and injuring several others. Thick smoke billowed from the building’s eighth floor, making evacuation a race against rapidly spreading fire.
The emergency teams got a dramatic video of a man climbing from his balcony into an adjacent window to escape the black spray of smoke. First responders went from flat to flat searching for survivors, but visibility conditions were so poor that many residents stayed locked inside – some barricaded themselves in the balcony and had to wait for rescue later.
Police confirmed that the fire began from a technical fault on the ground floor, which forced the evacuation of 80 flats. Over 200 residents will require temporary accommodation while the outbreak is searched and the building’s safety standards are reviewed.
After the blaze was extinguished, Belgium’s King Philippe made a visit to Linkeroever, meeting evacuees at a nearby care centre and inspecting the damaged building. The King’s eyes were drawn toward the extent of smoke and the families that were displaced.
Prime Minister Bart De Wever and local police spokespersons pledged support for victims and families, noting the incident’s “terrible” impact on the community and describing the fire as a “complex and dangerous” event forced by poor visibility and heavy smoke. Parliament marked its session with a minute of silence for those lost in the fire.
