At least six dead in Antwerp apartment fire, dozens injured as blaze engulfs 10-storey building
A fire broke out on the eighth floor of a 10-storey apartment building in Antwerp's Linkeroever district on Wednesday morning, killing at least six people and injuring several others, with rescue operations ongoing.
Fire breaks out on eighth floor
A fire erupted on the eighth floor of a 10-storey apartment building in the Linkeroever district of Antwerp on Wednesday morning. The local fire department received a call at 9:53 a.m. reporting a "raging fire," according to police. The building housed more than 200 people, and all were evacuated as thick black smoke poured from balconies.
Rescue and firefighting efforts
Firefighters from multiple districts, including Waasland, Rand, and Rivierenland, responded, with over ten vehicles on scene. A specialized drone unit was deployed to monitor the blaze. The fire was described as "very complex" with low visibility and heavy smoke, making extinguishing difficult. It took three hours to bring the flames under control.
The building has been completely evacuated. Now our teams are engaged in extinguishing the fire and searching for any other victims. This is a large-scale operation: more than ten fire trucks are on site.
Casualties and injuries
At least six people were killed, and several others were injured, some seriously. The exact death toll remains unconfirmed as search operations continue. The most seriously injured were taken to nearby hospitals, while those with minor injuries received treatment on site. Evacuated residents were temporarily housed in a nearby senior center.
Possible cause under investigation
The cause of the fire is not yet known, but witnesses reported construction work on the roof and in the electricity box, according to Flemish newspaper De Standaard. Police spokesperson Kim Bastiaens said a fire expert and forensic lab have been called in to investigate.
We do not yet have confirmation on that, but these elements are of course part of the investigation that will be carried out. A fire expert has been appointed and the forensic lab has also been requested.
Official response
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever thanked firefighters and emergency services on social media platform X, saying his thoughts were with the victims and evacuated residents. Authorities advised local residents to keep windows and doors closed and turn off ventilation due to heavy smoke.
My thoughts are with the victims and the evacuated residents.
- Fire department receives call about raging fire on 8th floor
- Building evacuation begins, over 200 residents affected
- Fire still not under control, described as 'very complex' by fire spokesperson
- Fire brought under control after three hours
- Prime Minister Bart De Wever thanks emergency services
