Gas supply cut off to block of flats in Molenbeek during heatwave

Gas supply cut off to block of flats in Molenbeek during heatwave
The block of flats on Boulevard Louis Mettewie in Molenbeek. Credit: Google Street View.

On Tuesday evening, firefighters had to turn off the gas supply to a block of 300 flats on Boulevard Louis Mettewie in Molenbeek.

A spokesperson for the Brussels Fire Brigade told Belga News Agency that the decision had been made because of yesterday's high temperatures, which increased the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

They stated that "a Sibelga employee was sent to the premises because there was a gas smell in the building."

When the employee arrived at the scene, they detected the presence of carbon monoxide in several of the building's units.

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As a result, 24 firefighters were dispatched to monitor the CO2 levels in the various units before turning off the gas supply.

Similarly to a recent case of carbon monoxide poisoning in Saint-Gilles, the temperature differential between the combustion gases and the outside temperature was insufficient, preventing combustion gases from ascending and being evacuated, posing a significant risk of CO2 intoxication.

The situation at the building is being closely followed by fire services, Sibelga, and the commune of Molenbeek.


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