Nine people from the same house in Schaerbeek were poisoned by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and taken to hospital on Thursday evening. Three of them were in serious condition.
An ambulance and the Mobile Emergency Group (MUG) were called to the scene for an acute medical problem on the first floor of a four-storey building on Avenue Princesse Elisabeth in Schaerbeek on Thursday evening. By 19:15, the Brussels Fire Brigade, additional medical services, the Brussels North police zone and gas operator Sibelga also arrived at the scene.
"The emergency workers' CO detector immediately sounded the alarm," Brussels Fire Brigade spokesperson Walter Derieuw said. The potentially lethal gas, which is tasteless, odourless and colourless, had spread across the building. "Those present were evacuated and additional resources were sent to the scene."
Some victims severely poisoned
All floors were evacuated, bringing the total number of people affected to 15. A medical intervention plan was initiated due to the scale of the issue: three MUG ambulances, five of the fire brigade's ambulances and Red Cross resources set up a medical post.
"A total of nine victims (including a family of five and a family of three) were evacuated to different hospitals," said Derieuw. "Three patients were more severely poisoned. Fortunately, no lives were at risk."
Credit: Brussels Fire Brigade/Walter Derieuw
To facilitate the constant flow of emergency vehicles, a security perimeter was set up by the police. As a result, public transport operator STIB's trams were also disrupted.
The cause of the intoxication was non-compliant boilers with major defects. "Sibelga sealed all installations and the building was declared uninhabitable," Derieuw said. The police and commune are rehousing the residents.
He reiterated the four tips to prevent CO poisoning, which has resulted in countless hospitalisations this autumn and winter. "Have a compliant appliance installed by a certified technician and have annual maintenance and mandatory checks carried out. Also, have the exhaust of combustion gases checked and ensure natural ventilation and the introduction of fresh air, and install homologated CO detectors."
