Merksem (Eurotoday) – A fire broke out at dawn in an apartment building on Bredabaan in Merksem. Firefighters swiftly evacuated multiple residents, including one person who had to be rescued from the roof using a ladder truck. Several individuals were transported to the hospital for medical care, while the fire department is currently ventilating the building to remove smoke.
Early this morning, emergency responders were called to a four-storey apartment building in Merksem, Antwerp, after a fire erupted inside. The Antwerp fire brigade arrived at 8:10 a.m. to carry out evacuations and rescue operations, ensuring that trapped individuals could safely exit the building.
Medical teams transported several people to the hospital to receive necessary treatment. Meanwhile, firefighters continue to ventilate the building and are investigating the cause of the fire.
“It was a very intense fire. We had to rescue several people from the building and assist someone on the roof using a ladder truck. Others managed to escape on their own,” said Ninke Neyrinck of the Antwerp Fire Zone.
“The MUG doctor also opted to activate the medical intervention plan to ensure that all victims received adequate assistance. Several individuals were taken to hospital for care,” Neyrinck added.
“At present, the fire department is ventilating the building to eliminate toxic smoke. Once that is complete, the city engineer will assess whether the structure is still habitable,” she continued.
“The cause of the fire remains unknown at this stage. The public prosecutor’s office will likely appoint a fire expert to investigate the incident. Fortunately, the fire was contained within the building itself.”
“We do not yet have a full assessment of the damage, as that will become clear once ventilation efforts conclude,” Neyrinck concluded.
Fire Incidents in Merksem and Antwerp
Residential fires are a common emergency in Antwerp, with incidents like the one in Bredabaan occurring frequently. According to the Antwerp Fire Zone, the city records approximately 1,200 residential fires annually, with Merksem and other densely populated neighborhoods among the hardest hit.
Fire-related property damages in Antwerp exceeded €50 million in 2022, underlining the significant risk these incidents pose to both residents and the local economy.
Fires in multi-storey apartment buildings like the one on Bredabaan present unique challenges due to restricted access points and the necessity of specialized rescue equipment such as ladder trucks. In response, the Antwerp Fire Zone has prioritized fire safety initiatives, including the installation of smoke detectors and structured evacuation plans. However, many older buildings in Merksem lack modern fire prevention systems, making them particularly vulnerable.
Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium, providing unique and independent coverage of international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, Eurotoday reports on EU policies, significant developments in member states, and global events through a European lens.
Leave a Reply