Mass Evacuation as Deadly Blaze Kills At Least 5 in Antwerp Apartment Tower”.

10-storey building in Linkeroever district engulfed; over 200 residents flee, cause under investigation.

What happened.

A major fire tore through a 10-storey apartment tower in Antwerp, Belgium on Wednesday morning, killing at least 5 people and leaving several others injured. Police initially reported 6 deaths, but the figure was later revised down. 

The blaze broke out shortly before 10am local time in the city’s Linkeroever district. Plumes of black smoke poured from upper floors as firefighters battled to reach trapped residents. 

Rescue efforts.

Over 100 fire engines and multiple brigades responded, with a Medical Disaster Plan activated.

Rescuers lowered people from windows by rope and used fire ladders to reach those on balconies.

More than 200 people live in the building’s 80 flats. Evacuations continued for hours.

Police told nearby residents to keep doors and windows closed due to heavy smoke. 

Survivor accounts.

Jaklien Heeren, 80, from the 5th floor: “I opened the door and could smell the fire... I was lucky” to escape with her dog.

Geert Dewulf, top-floor resident: “We barricaded ourselves in our apartment and waited on the terrace” until firefighters rescued them. 

Cause & response.

Police spokesperson Kim Bastiaens said it’s too early to determine the cause. Some reports cite a technical failure on the ground floor. 

Prime Minister Bart De Wever, a former mayor of Antwerp, said his thoughts were with the victims. 

Belgium has seen several severe blazes recently, including a warehouse fire in Brussels.