Vorselaar (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A short-lived blaze occurred at the Huis van Bockstal building in Vorselaar in Antwerp this morning. The building used to be the home of a doctor located near the town square. A malfunction in the dryer caused the fire incident. No one was injured.
Huis van Bockstal, located in the centre of Vorselaar, experienced a minimal fire caused by a faulty dryer, which occurred this morning. Emergency responders from the fire brigade arrived at the first-floor apartment at around 8 a.m., preventing any significant destruction. Everyone inside Huis van Bockstal managed to safely escape their homes without harm.
A fire started in the energy-efficient social housing section at Huis van Bockstal, which is situated next to the Markt. Emergency responders arrived swiftly to control the fire, which prevented it from getting out of control. A malfunctioning dryer proved to be the origin of the incident, according to official investigators. People inside the building evacuated safely after emergency responders explained that the controlled damage had minimal impact on the building structure.
What is the background of fires caused by defective appliances in residential buildings?
Defective household appliances, specifically dryers, represent a major safety hazard which causes fires that affect buildings in residential areas. Every year, dryers trigger approximately 2,900 fires that lead to a total of $35 million in property losses based on U.S. Fire Administration statistics. European statistics reveal the same pattern, where defective residential appliances represent almost 10% of home fire incidents. Ageing appliances, together with insufficient maintenance practices, create serious fire hazards, as seen in the Huis van Bockstal incident, particularly when buildings undergo conversion without electrical system upgrades.
Belgium has witnessed an increasing number of historic buildings being converted into modern sustainable social housing developments, including Huis van Bockstal. Safety inspections tend to fall behind the pace of renovation work conducted during these projects, which involve converting older buildings to contemporary amenities.
Multiple safety reports compiled by the Federal Public Service for Home Affairs in Belgium demonstrate that electrical failures rank as the second most frequent cause of house blaze incidents, demanding enhanced product safety evaluations.
Dryer fires start without causing injury, although they may grow rapidly due to lint collection, temperature increases, or electrical malfunctions. Fire safety professionals suggest regular maintenance procedures should include expert examinations and vent cleaning to reduce safety hazards. This fire highlights the challenges of maintaining safe appliance standards throughout historic regions and contemporary construction sites.
