A fierce loft fire in the Brussels suburb of Laeken left two children mildly affected by smoke inhalation on Saturday evening, rendering the house uninhabitable due to fire and water damage, according to the Brussels fire brigade.
The emergency services were alerted at approximately 20:00 to a blaze in a two-storey row house on Théophile De Baisieux Street. Flames were concentrated in a space beneath the roof.
“Fourteen people were present in the building and were evacuated by Brussels Capital/Ixelles police,” said fire brigade spokesperson Walter Derieuw. “Two children received on-site medical attention from a Mobile Emergency Group (MUG) doctor but did not require hospitalisation.”
The house contained many belongings, which contributed to the fire’s intensity and prolonged the clean-up operation after the flames were extinguished.
“During the fire, a water leak also occurred,” Derieuw added. “Water, gas and electricity supplies were all cut off. As a result, the house is no longer habitable. Police and social services are assisting residents with temporary accommodation.”
