Published on •Updated
At least six people have died after a fire broke out at an apartment block in Antwerp, Belgian police said.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
In an update on Wednesday afternoon, Antwerp police said the fire was “almost under control” and that it had been caused by a “technical fault on the ground floor”.
“Unfortunately, there have been several casualties, including six fatalities,” the force said in a statement.
Firefighters have evacuated the 10-storey building, which is said to have more than 200 residents, and are continuing to search for other victims, it added. Multiple people were also injured in the blaze.
A report came in of a fire on the eighth floor of a building in the city’s Linkeroever neighbourhood at 9:53 am, per the police statement.
The force has warned locals affected by the smoke to close windows and doors and to shut off ventilation systems if necessary.
Video footage circulating on social media appears to show the fire, with plumes of black smoke billowing from a balcony. Police and firefighters were dispatched to the scene along with a drone crew.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has said his thoughts were with the victims and residents.
“I would like to express my deep appreciation to the emergency services, who are doing their utmost to help the many people affected as quickly and safely as possible, and who are working hard to bring the fire under control,” he said.
