Ostend (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): A fire started in the basement of a house due to an electrical problem. Thick smoke spread everywhere. Firefighters put out the fire but the house needs cleaning before people can live there again. Smoke alarms and checking electricity can stop fires.
On August 29, 2024 during the night the neighbors were woken up by a strange smell and felt uneasy. When they looked outside, they saw thick smoke coming from the windows of the house next door. Concerned for their neighbors they quickly called the fire department. The firefighters arrived within minutes and after checking the situation they discovered that the smoke was coming from the basement. They put on their protective gear and entered the house, carefully making their way through the heavy smoke that made it difficult to see.
How did an electrical fire in Ostend impact a home?
When the firefighters got to the basement they found a small fire that probably started because of an electrical issue or something that accidentally caught fire. The fire was mostly contained to the basement but the smoke had spread throughout the entire house creating a dangerous situation. They quickly got the fire under control put out the flames, and opened windows to let the smoke escape. Thanks to the neighbors being alert and the fire department’s quick response, the damage was limited to the basement, and everyone was safe. This incident highlighted how important smoke alarms are and the dangers of fires at night.
After entering the house and reaching the basement firefighters discovered that the fire was likely caused by a short circuit in an electrical device. Fire captain Francis Daniaux, who led the operation, explained that the faulty device sparked and ignited nearby materials, causing the fire to spread within the small basement area. The fire was mostly contained and didn’t spread to other parts of the house due to the quick action of the firefighters. However, the smoke was thick and filled the entire home with strong, unpleasant fumes, seeping into every room, walls, furniture, and personal belongings, leaving behind a lasting odor and residue.
Because of the smoke damage, Captain Daniaux and his team said the house is not safe to live in right now. He explained that even though the fire was only in the basement the smoke caused a lot of damage. The residents were told to stay somewhere else while professionals clean up the smoke. There were no injuries but the fire department reminded everyone to have working smoke detectors and check their electrical systems regularly to avoid fires in the future.
