Dendermonde (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The old prison facilities at Dendermonde experienced an overnight blaze that resulted in the evacuation of 22 prisoners. Emergency services successfully controlled the fire early on.
Emergency teams evacuated 22 prisoners from the old prison in Dendermonde as a fire erupted at the facility during night hours. Emergency responders handled the fire breakout and then took the prisoner to the hospital for brief monitoring until he returned to the facility. The authorities must find out what caused the fire. It has become the second recorded blaze at this site since last month.
The fire ignites at 4 a.m. outside the old prison facility, which stands on Sint-Jacobstraat. The fire department managed to contain the fire quickly, yet escorted a single prisoner to a hospital check-up before the detained population’s return to their cellblocks. A fire expert working for the public prosecutor’s office will investigate the origin of the fire.
What is the history of recent fires at Dendermonde’s Old Prison?
The prison located at Dendermonde on Sint-Jacobstraat has continued to deal with several security and maintenance problems throughout recent years. Dating back to the 19th century, prison management has faced criticism for failing to update its infrastructure due to reports of fire dangers and prison population density issues. The Belgian prison authorities’ report from 2023 shows the prison is operating at complete capacity by housing 150 inmates, while the facility was built to accommodate fewer prisoners.
Belgian prison fires occur regularly, as demonstrated by at least 12 documented incidents that the Federal Justice Ministry records have registered across the country from 2020 to 2024. The occurrence of two consecutive facility fires during one month suggests that structural risks need further analysis. A previous fire struck late February 2024 and produced minor destruction after authorities demanded better emergency response measures.
Past inspections of Dendermonde’s prison revealed two compliance issues related to its delayed maintenance program alongside electrical system faults. The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture published a 2022 report showing outdated wiring exists in specific sections, yet no connection was found with these recent fires. The repeated emergencies at the prison have not yet had their causes identified by authorities, but these ongoing emergencies are likely to increase inspection focus ahead of the scheduled 2025 renovation.
