At least five people have been killed and many others injured in a fire that broke out in an apartment block in the Belgian city of Antwerp on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The blaze erupted mid-morning on the eighth floor of the 10-storey building in the Linkeroever neighbourhood, which houses more than 200 residents, according to Antwerp police.
Fire Details and Evacuation
Antwerp police spokesperson Kim Bastiaens confirmed the death toll, stating, "Right now, unfortunately, at least five people have died in the fire. There are also a significant number of seriously injured people, as well as a number of lightly injured." The statement was made to Belgian private broadcaster VTM. The entire building was evacuated, and local authorities advised residents to keep windows and doors closed and turn off ventilators due to heavy smoke.
Firefighters faced challenging conditions due to the fire's size and intensity. Multiple teams of first responders and police were dispatched, including a specialized drone unit. A medical emergency plan was activated to prevent overwhelming nearby hospitals.
Investigation and Aftermath
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Bastiaens noted that the fire started on the ground floor, and forensic experts were examining the site. By early afternoon, smoke had subsided, but many emergency personnel remained at the scene, as reported by an Associated Press photographer. Television images captured a man on an upper floor enveloped in smoke, hanging over a balcony for fresh air before moving to a nearby window.
Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever, a former mayor of Antwerp, expressed his condolences on social media: "My thoughts are with the victims and the evacuated residents of the terrible fire on Linkeroever. My deep appreciation goes out to the emergency services who are striving to help the many affected people as quickly and safely as possible, and who are working hard to bring the fire under control."
Location and Community Impact
Linkeroever, located in eastern Antwerp, is a large residential area characterized by high-rise apartment buildings and bordering a major park that hosts outdoor music concerts. The fire has had a significant impact on the community, with many residents displaced and emergency services continuing their work.
