Tragedy struck Antwerp overnight as a fire ripped through a residential block in the port district, killing at least six people and leaving several others injured. Belgian authorities have confirmed they are seeking British investigative assistance, citing the complexity of the blaze and the need for specialist forensic analysis. The fire, which broke out around 2 a.
m. local time, engulfed a three-story building housing predominantly low-income families and migrant workers. Rescue efforts were hampered by the building's age and narrow stairwells, with firefighters battling the flames for hours.
Local officials said the death toll could rise as search teams comb through the debris. The call for British help reflects the international nature of the disaster. Many of the victims are believed to be from Eastern Europe and North Africa, with families in the UK awaiting news.
Union leaders have already raised concerns about fire safety standards in older tenements, a familiar issue in Britain's own housing stock. As the community reels, questions mount over building regulations and the human cost of inadequate safety measures.
