Welding Sparks Cause Heavy Smoke in Diest Apartment Building; One Injured

A severe smoke incident occurred in an apartment building on Overstraat in the center of Diest, Belgium, rendering the building uninhabitable for the time being. The emergency services responded swiftly to the scene after the incident unfolded this afternoon.

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Especially a lot of smoke in a small apartment building in Diest.

The heavy smoke developed during welding work in the building. Sparks from the welding ignited mattresses stored in the basement, leading to a significant smoke buildup throughout the structure. Fortunately, the fire did not spread beyond the initial ignition point, preventing a full-blown blaze.

Emergency services, including a large contingent of firefighters, were deployed to Overstraat. They successfully evacuated one resident who had inhaled a substantial amount of smoke and required hospitalization. A firefighter who assisted in the rescue also suffered from smoke inhalation and was taken to the hospital for observation, though he was later released.

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The sparks from the welders caused mattresses in the basement to catch fire. However, it never became a spreading fire in Diest. The entire building did fill with smoke.

Due to the pervasive smoke, city services have declared the entire apartment building temporarily uninhabitable. Officials are now working to find emergency housing for the displaced residents. The road, Overstraat, has since been reopened to traffic.

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The fire department had to get a resident out of the building. He had inhaled too much smoke and had to go to the hospital. The firefighter who got the man out of the building also suffered smoke poisoning and went with the ambulance for checks. He was later able to leave the hospital.