The death toll has risen with the announcement of a third person who died following the fire at the Kennedy Tower in Liège. Jacques Walhe has since succumbed to his injuries, who has been in intensive care.
According to the medical examiner’s findings, the cause of death was an exacerbation of COPD due to stress from the fire and not smoke inhalation poisoning.My dad was already very sick. He suffered from emphysema, a lung disease that had already affected my grandfather, as well as my father’s twin brother.”, explains Isabelle Wahle, one of Jacques’ four daughters. “He could no longer move on his own and he had an oxygen bottle to breathe. One of our little half-sisters, Jade, was by his side at the time of the fire in his apartment on the 12th floor. They were able to be evacuated thanks to the big crane but Jade is still in shock.” adds Barbara Wahle.
The smoke therefore made Jacques’ case worse. Hospitalized at the MontLégia clinic, the Liégeois succumbed to his injuries this Saturday, June 29.
Passionate about photography and reading
A drama which mobilized a large number of tributes through social networks. It must be said that Jacques Wahle was known for his photographs of the city of Liège. Montagne de Bueren, Palais de Justice, but also events such as tram works or floods came under his lens.
A passion that he shared on his Facebook account. He also took advantage of his apartment high up in the Kennedy Tower to offer photos with a breathtaking view of Liège. Jacques had been living on the twelfth floor of the tower for over 15 years.
guillementAlways with his camera around his neck
“Sometimes I would come across him in Liège, always with his camera around his neck. It was a passion that he developed late in life. He also loved reading. I remember that as soon as I or my sister made a mistake spelling or grammar, he corrected us. He was a very rigorous, meticulous man, who liked to help others.Barbara Wahle says with emotion.A character that left its mark on many of his colleagues, who contacted me when they learned of his death.”she adds.
Although Jacques Wahle, aged 75, had been retired for several years, he had a busy professional life. After graduating with a doctorate in law from the University of Liège, he then became director of the administration department of the City of Liège. He then continued his career at COCOF in Brussels, ending up as a lawyer at the Commission for the Protection of Privacy in the Banking Sector.His colleagues told me he loved giving advice and explaining things.”says Barbara.
A Liège personality
But even though he worked in Brussels, Jacques was well known in Liège, as was his entire family.All three of them, with my father, were regulars at the Le Cappucino bar. They were very attached to this district of Liège”remembers Isabelle.
Jacques Wahle will therefore have lived a full life with many memories. He leaves behind a large number of photographs (one of his many passions) imprinted with his artistic touch and his very particular eye.
