Antwerp fire that killed 5 women started during electrical work, prosecutors confirm

A fire that claimed the lives of five women in an Antwerp apartment building began when a water pipe was struck during electrical work, according to the Antwerp public prosecutor's office. The findings of an appointed fire expert confirm the incident started after a copper water pipe was hit while a new electrical cabinet was being installed.

Investigators believe the resulting leak allowed water to flow onto the building's power supply. This caused a short circuit and extremely high temperatures, which ignited the fire. The blaze then spread quickly to higher floors via the building's utility shaft.

The judicial investigation, led by an investigating judge, is still underway. The facts are currently classified as unintentional arson and unintentional homicide. The prosecutor's office held an information session for victims' relatives and building residents, where the initial findings were presented by the investigating judge, fire expert, and detectives. Specialized victim support services were provided to those in attendance.