A school in Ixelles was evacuated on Thursday after a report of carbon monoxide poisoning left 24 people needing hospital treatment.
The Brussels Fire Brigade was called at around 12:40 to a report of a possible carbon monoxide poisoning incident at the Bois Sauvage school on Rue Van Aa in Ixelles.
They were joined by the emergency medical services and the Brussels Capital/Ixelles police.
On arrival, the evacuation of around 100 pupils was organised in a well-coordinated manner, with the support of the police. The pupils were taken to a neighbouring school.
The fire specialists recorded high levels of CO at the scene, with around 20 people initially examined by medical teams.
Fourteen people were taken to various hospitals with mild poisoning, however a spokesperson for Fire Brigade confirmed that the figure had now risen to 24 people, which includes both pupils and teaching staff.
However, the fire brigade said their condition was "reassuring".
A medical response plan was activated and an advanced medical post was set up by the Red Cross.
The cause of the poisoning is linked to poor venting of combustion gases from a burner.
The Mayor of Ixelles, Romain De Reusme (PS), commended the responsiveness of the emergency services and the quality of coordination with the municipal services. He is relieved that there were no serious injuries.
