Five people transferred to hospital after a fire in Laeken: “One person was able to be saved using the emergency ladder”

“There was a lot of smoke when we arrived. One person was saved using an emergency ladder extended from the window on the second floor,” explained fire brigade spokesman Walter Derieuw. “Four other residents were already outside. The five residents, having 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,” continues the spokesperson. “There was still a lot of work to be done after the extinguishing 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 exploitable.

The fire department spokesperson reiterates certain safety tips. “Install smoke detectors – obligatory 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 cage smokey stairwell and report your presence to the emergency services at the window, by gestures, a mobile phone or a flashlight, or by calling 112.”