A second person has died following Monday’s tower block fire in Liège, with three more victims remaining in hospital.
The Liège police confirmed on Wednesday that two patients are in intensive care. One person lost their life on Monday, and 14 people were hospitalised, primarily due to smoke poisoning, with two having suffered severe injuries.
Notably, the building is now completely inaccessible to the residents. "It has been declared uninhabitable,” say local authorities.
Smoke pictured on top of the Kennedy tower in Liege, Monday 24 June 2024. Credit: Thomas Michiels
There’s no electric or gas supply in the building, and the lifts are non-functional. The electrical system has been destroyed with soot which has spread throughout a large portion of the structure.
Firefighters began evacuating flat residents after the fire broke out on Monday afternoon in the basement of the Kennedy residence in Liège, according to police reports.
Firefighters pictured at the Kennedy tower in Liege, Monday 24 June 2024. Credit: Belga / Laurent Cavenati
Smoke was observed across multiple floors. The fire started around 14:00 in the block's basement, located on Quai Paul van Hoegaerden, and spread via technical ducts.
Evacuation of the 260 residents began around 16:00. A Be-Alert message was sent to residents, advising them to remain on their balconies until the fire service could evacuate them.
Credit: Belga
The city of Liège activated its emergency plan. Significant medical resources have been deployed. According to police, by 17:00 on Tuesday, three people having suffered smoke inhalation were taken to hospital. They were located in the stairwell.
A security perimeter was established around the building. According to RTL Luxembourg, Luxembourg's Air Rescue service was dispatched to help bring residents to safety.
