Halle (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Last night, Halle’s Sint-Rochus district apartment building experienced an emergency evacuation when a parking garage fire started. Medical crews at three hospitals stabilised 23 individuals who suffered from smoke inhalation.
An apartment building in Halle’s Sint-Rochus district was evacuated late last night following a fire in its underground parking garage. The fire forced 72 residents to leave their homes, with 23 people hospitalised due to smoke inhalation. Firefighters successfully contained the fire, preventing it from spreading further, though the building sustained smoke damage.
The fire broke out around midnight, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. Authorities swiftly evacuated the building, ensuring the safety of all residents.
“At times like these, every second counts,”
Says Mayor Eva Demesmaeker.
“Our emergency services acted quickly and effectively to bring everyone to safety and provide the necessary medical assistance. That was our first priority.”
The residents of 50 apartments suddenly found themselves on the street.
“We immediately took the necessary measures to help the affected families,”
Says Demesmaeker.
“We accommodated the residents who had to leave their apartments in the De Bres sports complex.”
At 5 o’clock, the residents were able to return to their homes.
“Only the underground parking lot remains closed for the time being. The fire department remains on site to support residents and to ensure that all apartments are safe. The city is ensuring that the broken windows are quickly sealed to prevent further damage.”
What is the history of fire incidents in urban residential areas?
Urban residential parking garages present substantial safety dangers because fire incidents spread quickly while generating dangerous toxic smoke. National fire safety records show that garage fires comprise about 6% of residential fire incidents, which stem from electrical faults and vehicle malfunctions, along with improper storage practices for flammable items. Housing complexes in crowded neighbourhoods such as Sint-Rochus experience widespread impacts from such incidents that result in danger to many tenants.
Statistics from recent years show that people breathing in toxic fumes from fire smoke emerge as the primary reason for emergency room visits in fire situations, alongside increased concerns about carbon monoxide poisoning as a major health threat. In recent times, Halle enforced more extensive fire safety guidelines that require smoke detection systems and routine site inspections.
