Roeselare (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A 71-year-old woman suffered severe burns in a fire around 5 p.m. Friday in an apartment above Verdupark in Roeselare after a small terrace fire suddenly intensified. Investigators are examining the cause.
As VRT News reported, on Friday evening, May 2, 2025, around 5 p.m., emergency services were called to an incident in Roeselare. The incident took place in an apartment above the Verdupark company on the Brugsesteenweg. A 71-year-old woman in the apartment got bad burns.
The witnesses saw a loud bang and a massive explosion of flames from the building. A person stated that he saw a woman with fire on her face. Emergency responders gave first aid and took the woman to a burn centre for more care.
What caused the sudden apartment fire above Verdupark in Roeselare?
Police and firefighters closed the area surrounding the building after the explosion and fire. They are investigating the cause of the fire and explosion. They said it could have been due to a gas leak or an appliance malfunction, but they do not know yet.
Experts are checking the gas lines and electricity. The Verdupark company below the apartment closed temporarily. People nearby were worried by the explosion, but no one else got injured. They are still investigating.
According to the firefighters, before the fire explosion, a small fire started in a storage room on the apartment’s terrace. The fire was likely burning slowly without anyone knowing. The woman in the apartment noticed smoke or heat and went to check.
When she opened the storage room door, the fire got extra oxygen. This made the fire get much bigger very fast, like an explosion. There was a loud bang. The woman was badly burned by the fire.
Neighbours saw the smoke and commotion and helped. They used fire extinguishers and water to fight the fire before it spread. Firefighters came soon after and put out the rest of the fire, making sure the building was safe.
