ANTWERP, Belgium — At least six people lost their lives and many more were hurt Wednesday when fire broke out at an apartment building on the outskirts of the Belgian city of Antwerp, according to police.
Authorities said the fire originated from a technical malfunction on the ground floor of the 10-story structure, which houses more than 200 residents across 80 apartments in the Linkeroever neighborhood. Thick columns of smoke billowed into the sky as the fire spread through the building.
The upper floors of the high-rise appeared to sustain the most severe damage. All residents were evacuated, and people living nearby were urged to keep their windows and doors shut and, if necessary, to switch off any ventilation systems because of the heavy smoke in the area. Evacuated residents were directed to a local emergency shelter.
Police described the conditions firefighters faced as extremely challenging given the fire’s size and ferocity. Multiple teams of first responders and law enforcement were sent to the scene, including a specialized unit equipped with drones.
News footage captured a man on one of the upper floors surrounded by smoke, leaning over a balcony in search of fresh air before eventually making his way to a nearby window.
A medical emergency plan was put into effect to ensure that local hospitals were not overwhelmed by the number of victims.
An Associated Press photographer on the ground reported that the smoke had largely cleared by early afternoon, though emergency personnel remained at the scene in large numbers.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, who previously served as mayor of Antwerp, expressed his condolences on social media. “My thoughts are with the victims and the evacuated residents of the terrible fire on Linkeroever,” he wrote.
“My deep appreciation goes out to the emergency services who are striving to help the many affected people as quickly and safely as possible, and who are working hard to bring the fire under control,” the prime minister added.
Linkeroever sits on the eastern edge of Antwerp and is a densely populated residential district featuring numerous high-rise apartment buildings. The area borders a large park that regularly hosts outdoor music events.
