Brussels building fire leaves 6 missing, charred bodies found in elevator
9 reported1 unconfirmed
A fire broke out Tuesday at a building under renovation in downtown Brussels, injuring two people and leaving six missing, according to Belgian authorities. Brecht Speybrouck, a spokesman for the Labor Audit Office, said the fire started on the second floor in a main shopping area and flames spread into a lift shaft. He reported that 250 workers were evacuated, two were hospitalized with severe burns, and six were missing. Charred bodies were discovered in one of the elevators, though Speybrouck did not provide a number and could not confirm if they included any of the missing. First responders faced difficulty accessing the lift shaft, and Brussels mayor Philippe Close told The Associated Press that thermal cameras and sniffer dogs were used to locate victims. Belgium's King Philippe toured the site several hours later, and Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed shock over the incident in a social media post.
What’s reported
A fire broke out Tuesday at a building being renovated in downtown Brussels.
The fire started on the second floor in a main shopping area and spread into a lift shaft.
250 workers were evacuated from the site.
Two people were taken to a hospital with severe burns.
Six people were reported missing.
Charred bodies were found in one of the elevators; the number was not given, and it is unclear if they include any of the missing.
First responders used thermal cameras and sniffer dogs to try to find victims.
Belgium's King Philippe toured the site several hours after the fire.
Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said he was "shocked" by the incident.
Open questions
The number of charred bodies found in the elevator and whether they include any of the six missing persons.
Key figures
Brecht Speybrouck, spokesman for the Labor Audit Office
Philippe Close, mayor of Brussels
King Philippe of Belgium
Bernard Quintin, Belgian Interior Minister
Sources: abcnews.com
