A four-storey house has collapsed in Avenue Houba de Strooper in the Brussels municipality of Laeken, the Brussels fire service announced on Friday. Miraculously, no one was injured.
Two construction workers were in the building when they heard creaking. Just in time, they managed to pull themselves to safety right before the building "collapsed like a house of cards," said fire service spokesperson Walter Derieuw.
No one besides the two workers was present, according to initial findings; further investigations should make it clear what exactly happened. The fire brigade has already ruled out an explosion.
To ensure the two workers were the only ones in the building, firefighters are also searching the debris with dogs. Additional checks on the stability of adjacent buildings is underway.
The police have set up a security perimeter. Brussels electricity and gas provider Sibelga is also on-site to shut off the power.
Credit: Brussels fire service
Credit: Brussels fire service
Credit: Brussels fire service
Credit: Brussels fire service
Credit: Brussels fire service
