Several people have died after a major fire swept through an apartment building in the Belgian port city of Antwerp on Wednesday morning, while firefighters continued searching the building for additional victims.
Search Continues as Fire Burns Through Apartment Block
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Emergency services were called to the apartment block on Antwerp's Left Bank at around 9:53 a.m. local time after reports of a fire. The building is home to approximately 200 residents.
Authorities said multiple people were killed in the blaze, while several others sustained serious injuries. Additional residents were treated for smoke inhalation. Officials had not confirmed the exact number of casualties by the time of publication, and it remained unclear how many people had been evacuated or were still inside the building.
Residents affected by the fire were taken to the nearby Hof Ter Schelde care centre for assistance.
Rescue Efforts Continue
Marie De Clercq, a spokesperson for Antwerp Fire Zone, said firefighters were concentrating on searching the building for possible victims as thick smoke complicated rescue operations.
She said the smoke spread rapidly between floors and apartments, making it more difficult for crews to locate residents and carry out evacuations safely.
Firefighters had not yet brought the blaze under control, De Clercq added. Initial assessments suggested the fire may have started on the building's eighth floor, although officials said it was too early to confirm the exact origin.
Multiple firefighting units, supported by drone teams, remained at the scene as efforts to contain the fire and search the building continued.
Emergency Response Expanded
Although authorities did not activate the provincial disaster plan, they requested a provincial-scale response, allowing neighbouring fire zones to provide additional personnel and equipment.
A medical intervention plan was also put in place to support the emergency response and treat those injured or affected by smoke.
Fire services urged the public to avoid the area while operations continued. Residents in nearby buildings impacted by smoke were advised to keep their doors and windows closed and switch off ventilation systems if necessary.
Cause Yet to Be Determined
The cause of the fire has not been established.
Local police said a forensic investigation would begin later on Wednesday after specialist investigators arrived at the scene. Authorities are expected to examine the building once conditions are safe enough to determine how the fire started.
Search and rescue operations were still ongoing, with firefighters continuing to inspect the building for anyone who may remain trapped inside.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 1 July 2026