Multiple fatalities reported in fire at Antwerp apartment complex

Fire Breaks Out in Antwerp Apartment Tower, Injures Multiple People

A devastating fire has engulfed a 10-storey apartment tower in the Linkeroever area of eastern Antwerp, Belgium, resulting in at least six fatalities and multiple injuries. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning when local residents reported a “raging fire” on the eighth floor.

Emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene, with several fire brigades, ambulances, and emergency teams responding to the call. Police confirmed that more than 200 people reside in the building, but it was too early to provide an exact number of injured individuals.

Firefighters are battling the blaze, which is described as “complex” due to its size and intensity. The fire’s poor visibility and heavy smoke inside the building make it challenging for firefighters to extinguish the flames.

Eyewitnesses reported that the fire began with a power outage followed by a fire alarm three minutes later. Residents attempted to evacuate on their own but were unable to do so, instead barricading themselves in their apartments until rescue teams arrived.

The Belgian Prime Minister has expressed his condolences to the victims and evacuated residents, praising the emergency services for their efforts to bring the fire under control. The incident is currently under investigation, with authorities working to determine the cause of the blaze.

Source: Al Jazeera