A fire in the Sofitel hotel in Brussels led to 179 people being evacuated in the early hours of the morning, according to reports. The fire started in the hotel on Avenue de la Toison d Or at 3:15 am on Wednesday and was brought under control shortly after 4:00 am. The firefighters then had to clear the building looking for potential victims.
The smoke and water have caused damage, said Walter Derieu, spokesperson for Brussels firefighters. It is unlikely that customers can stay in their room on Wednesday as the premises have to now be ventilated and cleaned, he added.
One person was taken to the hospital, and is in a serious condition, said Derieu. The other guests were evacuated and relocated to The Hotel located just across the Boulevard.
The cause of the fire is not yet known. It is understood to have started on an indoor terrace, located behind the reception, under a courtyard used as a smoking area.
According to customers, the cause could be a small heater located in the smoking area that could have exploded, reports RTBF.
The Brussels Times
