Several people died and many were injured in a fire that broke out Wednesday in an apartment block in Antwerp, Belgium. The blaze started mid-morning on the eighth floor of the 10-story building, which houses more than 200 residents, according to a statement from Antwerp police.
The fire sent large plumes of smoke into the air, prompting authorities to issue warnings for local residents to close windows and doors and turn off ventilators. Firefighters faced challenging conditions due to the intensity and scale of the fire. Multiple response teams, including a specialized drone unit, were deployed to the scene.
An evacuation of the building was in progress. A medical emergency plan was activated to manage the influx of victims without overwhelming local hospitals. By early afternoon, the smoke had subsided, but a significant first responder presence remained at the site.
The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever expressed his thoughts for the victims and evacuated residents on social media, extending appreciation to the emergency services for their efforts.
The apartment block is located in the Linkeroever neighborhood, a large residential area in eastern Antwerp characterized by high-rise buildings and proximity to a major park.