Firefighter killed and three seriously injured in gas explosions near Brussels Central Station

How it happened

A contractor installing fibre optic cable in the building at 22 rue Gentilhomme, Brussels, accidentally drilled into a low-pressure gas pipe shortly before midday on Friday, 14 August 2026. The building, located at the Treurenberg near Brussels Central Station, houses the Single Resolution Board (CRU), a decentralised agency of the European Union responsible for banking resolution. Around thirty workers were inside at the time, and the building was evacuated with a safety perimeter established, according to fire brigade spokesperson Walter Derieuw. Approximately one hundred people were evacuated from the area.

While firefighters and Sibelga workers were inside the building attempting to repair the gas leak, two explosions occurred. De Morgen reported the blasts at approximately 13:30, while a second article from the same outlet cited around 14:00. Witnesses described a first, lighter explosion followed by a second, much larger one felt throughout the neighbourhood. According to Sibelga spokesperson Serena Galeone, the blasts did not occur at the damaged pipe itself but inside the building, where gas had accumulated. The exact cause of the explosions remains unclear.

Casualties and rescue

Four people were injured simultaneously in the explosion: two firefighters and two Sibelga employees. Three of the four were seriously injured with burns and transported to hospitals across Brussels. The fourth victim, a firefighter who had to be freed from the building, died of his injuries. Valentina Marocchi, spokesperson for the Brussels Labour Prosecutor's Office, confirmed the death.

The four persons were injured simultaneously during the explosion. Three of them were taken to hospital seriously injured. The firefighter had to be freed, but has died.

No updated information on the health status of the three injured persons was available as of 18:00 on Friday. Emergency services deployed significant resources to the site, including multiple ambulances, around ten fire vehicles and a similar number of police vehicles. The safety perimeter was expanded further after the second explosion.

Official response

Belgian Minister of Security and Interior Bernard Quintin travelled to the scene during the afternoon to support emergency services and assess the gravity of the incident. Brussels alderwoman Anaïs Maes (Vooruit) also visited the site. A crisis meeting was held with authorities and emergency services, but no conclusions had been communicated by evening. The Labour Prosecutor's Office is present at the site and leading the investigation.

Deeply affected by the death of a firefighter after the events in Brussels. Words fall short. My sincere condolences to his loved ones and to the great firefighter family. My thoughts go out to the victims. Thanks to all the emergency services for their commitment.

An explosion and fire expert appointed by the prosecutor's office was expected to begin work on Saturday.

Transport and ongoing work

The Brussels public transport operator STIB diverted several tram and bus routes following the incident. Tram lines 92 and 93, which had been suspended, resumed service around 18:00, with trams 92 running normally between Sainte-Marie and Louise and trams 93 running between Liedts and Louise. By end of day Friday, work to secure the gas pipeline was nearing completion, and checks were being conducted to verify the structural stability of the building, which was heavily damaged.