Many of you have alerted us via the orange Alert Us button of a problem at the Rodebeek metro station, located in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert. “Explosion just now”writes an Internet user to us at 6:57 p.m. “Smoke is coming from the station.” “The area is blocked by the police.indicates another a little earlier. “Ambulances, firefighters and SMUR are on site.”
The Brussels firefighters confirm. “Firefighters are working on smoke coming from a train in the Roodebeek metro station. The train and the station have been evacuated.”
It was in reality a small explosion which took place in an electrical cabin, causing a lot of smoke.
A short circuit actually occurred in the metro train, according to information communicated by STIB, causing a “start of fire”. Passengers were able to evacuate via the platforms. “The smoke has spread into the tunnel”specify the firefighters.
The Tomberg station was also evacuated as a precaution.
The firefighter intervention ended around 8 p.m. After the evacuation of the stations, they did not reopen. From 9 p.m., these metro stops were to “in all cases be closed due to work”, indicates STIB. Relay buses are set up.
The provisional human toll is two minor injuries transported to hospital. Four people are being treated at the scene.
