Five people have died following a fire that tore through an apartment block in the port city of Antwerp in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Emergency services were called to the building in the district of Borgerhout shortly after 2am local time. The blaze, which is now under control, consumed several floors of the structure.
Belgian federal police have launched an investigation, though no immediate cause has been identified. The death toll includes three adults and two children. A further 12 residents were rescued from the building, with three taken to hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.
Firefighters contained the flames after a three hour operation. Mayor Bart De Wever expressed his condolences, describing the event as a 'dark day for Antwerp'. Local authorities are coordinating with the city's social services to provide temporary housing for displaced residents.
The apartment block, built in the 1970s, had recently undergone a safety inspection, though details of that inspection have not been released. Witnesses reported hearing screams and seeing flames erupting from windows. One neighbour described the scene as 'apocalyptic'.
The investigation will focus on potential electrical faults or other accidental causes. Officials have ruled out terrorism at this stage.
