A fire broke out early Thursday morning in an unoccupied squat located in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, a municipality in the Brussels-Capital Region, causing significant damage to the building. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
The Brussels Fire Brigade received the emergency call shortly after 6:30 a.m. and rushed to the scene — a three-storey building situated on Avenue Charles Quint. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that the fire had multiple ignition points, raising immediate concerns over the nature and possible origin of the blaze.
“The building was completely unoccupied when we arrived,” said a spokesperson for the Brussels Fire Brigade. “However, we encountered several sources of fire, which required a coordinated and extensive effort to extinguish.”
Firefighters battled the flames for several hours, working to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring properties. By mid-morning, the fire was brought under control, but not before it inflicted heavy structural damage to the building.
The roof and upper floors appear to have sustained the most severe destruction, with windows shattered and charred debris strewn across the area.
The building in question is believed to have been a squat — a property that had been illegally occupied in the past but was reportedly empty at the time of the incident.
Local residents say the building has been abandoned for several months and had recently been a point of concern for the community due to its deteriorating condition and suspected irregular use.
“We’ve seen people come and go from that building for months,” said one neighbour, who asked not to be named. “It’s a relief that no one was hurt, but it’s scary to think how quickly something like this can happen.”
The Brussels Fire Brigade confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire. While no conclusions have been drawn yet, the discovery of multiple ignition points has led authorities to suspect that the fire may not have started accidentally.
“Given the nature of the fire’s origin and the fact that the building was uninhabited, we cannot rule out the possibility of arson,” the fire brigade spokesperson added. “We are cooperating closely with the police and forensic teams to establish what happened.”
Police have cordoned off the site, and investigators are expected to carry out a detailed examination of the scene in the coming days. Officials have urged anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and assist with the inquiry.
While there were no casualties, the incident has reignited discussions among local authorities and residents about the risks posed by abandoned buildings and squats in the capital. Calls are growing for more stringent inspections and security measures to prevent similar events in the future.
As of Thursday afternoon, Avenue Charles Quint remains partially closed to traffic as cleanup and safety assessments continue. Authorities are expected to release more information once the investigation progresses.
