Six workers die in fire at construction site in Brussels city centre, investigation underway

Six people have been killed after a blaze in the OXY Tower spread to two lift shafts of the construction site near Place De Brouckère on Tuesday.

The bodies were recovered hours after flames ripped through the former Centre Monnaie in Boulevard Anspach, which was being renovated by some 250 workers.

Brussels Labour inspectorate confirmed the fatalities on Tuesday evening. They had Belgian or Romanian nationality, it said. An investigation into their identity and the cause of the fire was underway.

“Six people got into that elevator for work and didn't survive,” Brussels mayor Philippe Close told RTBF on Wednesday morning.

Brecht Speybroucht, spokesperson for the labour inspectorate, added: “There is no indication that the fire was deliberately started. We are therefore currently working on the hypothesis of a tragic accident.”

The Brussels Fire Brigade was alerted at 7.50 on Tuesday after a blaze started on the second floor of the tower where offices were being built.

“The fire on the first and second floors quickly got under control,” said fire service spokesperson Walter Derieuw, reports Bruzz. “But flames entered the elevator shaft, causing the fire to spread to floor -2. That caused a severe fire that was only contained around 9.00,” he added.

All of the fatalities occurred in two lift shafts that were in the process of being installed. “It fell down due to the fire,” said the labour inspectorate.

Recovering the bodies was hampered by the difficulty accessing the two shafts and the persistent smoke, added Bruzz. The city’s Civil Protection team arrived at the disaster scene just after midday to remove the bodies.

After the fire broke out, workers at the site were evacuated principally to the neighbouring staff restaurant of Brucity, the administrative headquarters of the City of Brussels. The Red Cross provided psychosocial assistance. Brussels mayor Philippe Close arrived at the site of the fire around 14.30.

Two people suffering from serious burns were transported to the Queen Astrid Military Hospital in Neder-over-Hembeek and Leuven University Hospital. One firefighter with hyperthermia was treated at the scene.

King Philippe and prime minister Bart De Wever visited the site at the end of the afternoon, where they spoke to several firefighters and paramedics.

A Medical Intervention Plan was launched in addition to an internal emergency plan. Shops on the ground floor of the tower were evacuated and parts of Place de la Monnaie cordoned off.

The Oxo Tower real estate project is transforming the 1970s skyscraper into a multifunctional building with apartments, offices, a luxury hotel and restaurants. Its renovation was due to be completed later this year or early next year.

Property companies Immobel and Whitewood, who are developing the OXY project, said they learned “with deep dismay” about the loss of life. They assured that they will provide their “full cooperation” to the investigation.

Photos: ©Brussels Fire Brigade

This article was updated on 15 July at 10.15.