Brussels, Belgium – Dozens of residents were evacuated from an apartment building on Crickxstraat in the Saint-Gilles municipality on Saturday evening after firefighters discovered multiple hazardous gas burners, leading to carbon monoxide poisoning in several occupants.
Five people, including a young child, were hospitalised due to the leak. The emergency response was triggered when a woman from the building fell ill and was admitted to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed her with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Concerned by the potentially widespread threat, the hospital alerted emergency services, prompting an immediate inspection of the six-storey apartment building.
Firefighters arriving at the scene uncovered 13 gas burners in what Brussels fire department spokesperson Walter Derieuw described as “lamentable condition.”
Additionally, two gas heaters were found to be improperly disconnected from the chimney, exacerbating the risk of CO accumulation. The building itself was in a state of disrepair, raising further safety concerns.
In coordination with Sibelga, the local energy distributor, firefighters shut off the gas supply to prevent further exposure.
Inside the affected woman’s apartment, fire department officials measured dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide, sufficient to cause unconsciousness and, if left unaddressed, potentially fatal outcomes.
The swift intervention of emergency responders helped prevent a tragedy, but the damage had already been done—four additional residents were found suffering from CO poisoning and were transported to the hospital for medical treatment. The remaining tenants were evacuated as a precaution.
After safety assessments were completed, residents who did not require hospitalisation were permitted to return to their homes. However, the building owner has been mandated to undertake immediate renovations to bring the gas installations up to legal safety standards.
Fire department spokesperson Derieuw underscored the critical need for preventative measures to avoid such life-threatening incidents.
He stressed that gas burners must be inspected and certified by an authorised technician every two years. Furthermore, proper ventilation in buildings and the installation of CO detectors are essential safeguards against carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that can be deadly when inhaled in high concentrations.
Symptoms of CO poisoning include dizziness, nausea, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Experts recommend that households install CO detectors near gas-powered appliances and ensure proper ventilation to mitigate risks.
This incident highlights the importance of regular maintenance of gas appliances and building safety compliance to prevent future tragedies. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and will ensure that necessary safety upgrades are implemented before all residents can fully return to their apartments.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
