**At Least Five People Killed in Antwerp Apartment Tower Fire**
Antwerp, Belgium - A devastating fire broke out in a 10-storey apartment tower in Antwerp on Wednesday morning, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals, according to local police. The incident has raised concerns about fire safety in residential buildings, especially in light of recent similar tragedies in the country.
Police spokesperson Kim Bastiaens confirmed the fatalities but noted that it was premature to provide an accurate count of the injured or to determine the cause of the fire. Initial reports from local media suggested that six people had perished in the blaze, but this figure was later revised down to five.
Eyewitness accounts from residents reveal the harrowing experiences they endured as the fire raged. Jaklien Heeren, an 80-year-old resident living on the fifth floor, described her escape from the building. “I tried to go down, I opened the door and I could smell the fire,” she recounted. “I could see small flames were coming, and then I went out, and from then, I know nothing anymore. I went out and I was lucky.” Heeren managed to evacuate her dog alongside herself, although she expressed concern for her neighbors, who were unresponsive when she attempted to contact them.
Geert Dewulf, a resident on the top floor, shared a similar story of entrapment. “We tried to get down on our own but we couldn’t manage it anymore. We barricaded ourselves in our apartment and waited on the terrace,” he told Belgian broadcaster VRTNWS. He described how firefighters eventually reached them using a ladder, rescuing them from their precarious situation.
As the fire unfolded, multiple fire brigades from surrounding districts responded to the emergency, alongside ambulances and other emergency services. Authorities advised nearby residents to keep their doors and windows closed to mitigate the effects of smoke inhalation.
Belgium has witnessed a series of severe fires in recent weeks, including a significant incident at a warehouse in Brussels. The frequency of these events has prompted discussions about fire safety regulations and emergency preparedness in residential buildings.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, who previously served as the mayor of Antwerp, expressed his condolences on social media platform X. He stated that his thoughts were with the victims and their families during this tragic time.
As investigations into the cause of the fire begin, the community remains in shock over the loss of life and the traumatic experiences of those who lived through the incident. The Antwerp fire has sparked a renewed focus on fire safety measures in high-rise buildings, as residents and officials alike seek to prevent such tragedies in the future.