Two dead, eight injured in severe Schaarbeek fire; municipal disaster plan activated

A devastating fire ripped through a multi-unit building in Schaarbeek, Brussels, early Tuesday morning, claiming two lives and leaving eight people injured. The blaze erupted around 2:30 AM in a structure on Haachtsesteenweg, which housed several apartments connected by a common entrance and stairwells. The fire concentrated in the common areas of the furthest stairwell.

"There was already a lot of smoke development when we arrived, even in the street," stated Brussels fire department spokesperson Walter Derieuw. Firefighters immediately launched firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. During the search, they discovered four unconscious individuals in an apartment on the third floor. The heat had apparently caused the apartment's windows and door to open, allowing smoke to penetrate.

Victims were evacuated via the stairs and then brought down by a ladder truck, where medical services took over. "The fire was under control around 3:10 AM, but the human toll is heavy," Derieuw added. Two individuals were pronounced dead at the scene. Eight others were transported to various hospitals, including two who remain in critical condition with severe smoke inhalation.

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De brand was rond 03.10 uur onder controle, maar de menselijke tol is zwaar.