In brief
A 10‑storey apartment block in Antwerp’s Linkeroever district was hit by a sudden fire, killing five residents and injuring several others. Thick smoke poured from the eighth floor just before 10:00, forcing 80 flats to be evacuated. The blaze was attributed to a technical problem on the ground floor, and a dramatic video showed a man escaping from a balcony through a neighbouring window. Belgian police initially reported six deaths but later revised the figure to five. King Philippe visited the scene and met evacuees, while the fire brigade fought to extinguish a complex fire that spread rapidly through the building.
A 10‑storey block of flats in Antwerp’s Linkeroever district was devastated by a sudden blaze, killing five residents and injuring several others, Belgian police confirmed on Wednesday.
The fire erupted just before 10:00 local time, with thick smoke billowing from the eighth floor. A dramatic video circulated online, showing a man clambering from his balcony through a neighbour’s window to escape the black smoke.
Police said more than 200 people live in the building, and the fire service evacuated 80 flats. According to officials, the blaze was caused by a technical problem on the ground floor.
“It has claimed a heavy toll here at Linkeroever,” police spokeswoman Kim Bastiaens told Belgian public TV, adding that several people suffered serious and minor injuries. The initial death toll was six, but later revised to five after a full inquiry.
King Philippe visited the scene later that day, meeting evacuated residents and visiting a care centre where some were being treated. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever expressed his condolences and said his thoughts were with the victims and the community.
Firefighters reported that the smoke spread quickly through the building, making evacuation difficult. They moved from flat to flat inspecting for survivors while battling poor visibility. Heavy casualties were noted, and the incident has prompted a minute’s silence in the Flemish parliament.
