Five people taken to hospital after house fire in Laeken: “There was a lot of smoke”

A fire broke out Thursday morning in a terraced house located in Laeken, Brussels firefighters said. Five residents were taken to hospital after suffering from smoke inhalation. The accommodation located on the upper floors is uninhabitable, but the hospitality establishment on the ground floor can still be operated.

Around 6:20 a.m., the manager of a night shop located across the street warned the emergency services that a fire had broken out on the first floor of the house located on rue Émile Wauters. It was a hospitality establishment on the ground floor as well as a three-story house.

“There was a lot of smoke when we arrived. One person was saved using an emergency ladder deployed from the second floor window“, explained fire brigade spokesperson Walter Derieuw. “Four other residents were already outside. The five residents, who suffered minor smoke inhalation, were taken to hospital.”

Around 7 a.m., firefighters had brought the fire under control. “The origin of the fire has not yet been determined.“, the spokesperson continues. “There was still a lot of work to be done after the shutdown due to the wooden floors between the first and second floors. Clearing work is also underway. The upper floors of the building are uninhabitable, but the restaurant is still operable.”

The fire department spokesperson reiterates certain safety tips. “Install smoke detectors – in fact compulsory for all types of housing in the Brussels Region since January 1 – and if the configuration of the room and the evolution of the fire allow it, avoid evacuation through the smoke cage. smoke staircase and report your presence to the emergency services at the window, by gestures, a mobile phone or a flashlight, or via call 112.“

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