A fire broke out in a Brussels apartment building on Friday morning, causing no injuries and minimal damage thanks to the proper functioning of smoke alarms, according to the Brussels Fire Brigade.
The fire brigade received a call about the fire on the first floor of a three-storey building on Rue du Rem des Moines at around 05:35 in the morning.
"When we arrived, the residents had already evacuated to safety," said Fire Brigade spokesperson Walter Derieuw. "They were alerted by the smoke alarms and quickly informed us. The fire, which started in the kitchen of the first-floor flat, was quickly extinguished, keeping the damage limited."
The fire was accidental, stated the fire brigade, who left the scene after ventilating all the flats and checking for carbon monoxide.
About two weeks ago, the Brussels government launched a prevention and awareness campaign to encourage residents to install smoke alarms in their homes. Although legally required, many homes still lack them. The website rookmelders.brussels offers comprehensive information on the importance of smoke alarms, including technical specifications and requirements.
Smoke alarms must meet European standards and use an integrated battery with a lifespan of ten years. "They should be of the optical type, with a label EN 14604," said Derieuw. "They must be installed on the evacuation route, and should be regularly tested and cleaned."
