A strong gas smell was detected on Quai de Willebroeck in Brussels on Monday afternoon, prompting the road’s closure and the evacuation of the construction site for the nearby Kanal Museum.
Firefighters, police and gas network operator Sibelga were sent to the scene to trace the source of the potential gas leak, according to the Brussels fire service.
“Our first-response teams are on site and are carrying out in-depth investigations to determine the source of this odour and to locate a possible gas leak,” Sibelga said. “As a precaution, the construction site and the building have been evacuated. The police and the fire brigade have also established a safety zone.”
“At present, the source of the odour has not yet been identified, and we are unable to determine whether a gas pipeline is the cause, nor whether it is a low- or medium-pressure pipeline,” the company added. “Our teams are continuing their investigation in collaboration with the emergency services. The operation will continue for as long as necessary to carry out the investigation in complete safety.”
At 14:30, Brussels fire service spokesperson Walter Derieuw said Sibelga’s searches were still underway. He added that tests in neighbouring buildings had not detected any gas.
Yet, three further buildings on the same street have also been evacuated. If necessary, the 16 people living in the evacuated buildings who will be returning from work (pending on the outcome of Sibelga’s search efforts) can be accommodated, according to Derieuw.
Kanal Museum – Brussels' new museum of modern and contemporary art – will open on 28 November. However, the opening of the architecture centre and collections will be delayed following a fire in July.
