Police say at least five dead in Antwerp apartment-block fire

Police in Antwerp said at least five people were killed when fire tore through a 10-story apartment block in the city’s Linkeroever district, in a revised toll from earlier reporting that put the death count higher.

Hundreds of residents were evacuated from the building, which houses more than 200 people in about 80 apartments. Emergency crews spent hours searching the block after the blaze broke out on the ground floor, according to police and AP reporting.

Fire and evacuation

The alarm was raised shortly before 10 a.m. local time on July 1. Firefighters, police and a specialized drone unit were sent to the scene as flames and smoke spread through the building.

Officials told residents in the area to keep windows and doors closed and, if necessary, switch off ventilators because of smoke. Evacuees were taken to a shelter while crews worked through the building.

Toll revised

AP initially reported at least six dead and many injured. Later reporting from El País said police had reduced the confirmed death toll to five after a full search found no additional victims.

The fire was extinguished after about six hours, and search and rescue operations were later declared complete.

Cause and response

Police said the fire likely started because of a technical failure on the ground floor, though investigators have not given a final public account of what caused it.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever thanked emergency services and expressed condolences for the victims. Antwerp mayor Els van Doesburg also formed part of the official response as displaced residents waited to learn when, or whether, they could return home.

Authorities are still tracking injuries, hospitalizations and the conditions for residents who were forced out of the block.