UA fire broke out on Wednesday evening in a listed building on Avenue de la Reine, in Laeken (Brussels). No injuries were reported, but the roof and cornice of the building were badly damaged, reported the Brussels firefighters.
It is the former residence of Emile Bockstael, last mayor of Laeken between 1877 and his death in 1920. The four-story neoclassical building houses an art gallery and renovation work is underway.
“Shortly before 6 p.m., a fire broke out at a skylight and spread to the cornice,” said Walter Derieuw, fire brigade spokesperson. “We were able to put the fire out quickly, but a lot of things were broken to prevent a flare-up. Then everything was covered again, so our staff remained there for a while.”
“When the fire broke out, there was no one in the building and the resident arrived during the extinguishing work,” continues the spokesperson. “There were no injuries.”
The fire was of accidental origin, according to firefighters.
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