DENDERMONDE, BELGIUM – A fire broke out at Dendermonde Prison on Monday evening, leading to the evacuation of 150 prisoners to the exercise yard, prison administration spokesperson Kathleen Van De Vijver confirmed.
The incident, which started in a room containing washing machines and dryers, prompted an immediate emergency response, ensuring that all inmates and staff were moved to safety.
According to initial reports, the blaze erupted during maintenance work on one of the machines. Investigators believe the cause to be a technical malfunction rather than arson. However, a full inquiry is still underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
Emergency services arrived swiftly at the scene, bringing the fire under control before it could spread to other sections of the facility. “The fire was contained in the laundry area, and there was no significant damage to other parts of the prison,” Van De Vijver stated.
While the evacuation was conducted smoothly, one prisoner, whose cell was located above the laundry room, suffered from smoke inhalation. The individual was immediately transported to a hospital for treatment. No other injuries were reported among inmates or prison staff.
Dendermonde Prison, which houses both short-term and long-term detainees, has not experienced a fire of this scale in recent years. Prison officials praised the swift coordination between security personnel and emergency responders, which helped prevent a more serious incident.
“We are grateful for the quick response of our staff and the firefighters, who managed to contain the fire and ensure everyone’s safety,” said Van De Vijver. “The well-practiced emergency procedures worked effectively, minimizing risk to both prisoners and personnel.”
Authorities have assured that prisoners were safely returned to their cells once the fire was extinguished and the area was deemed secure. Meanwhile, technicians are assessing the damage to the laundry room, and repairs are expected to begin immediately.
Belgian authorities have launched a standard investigation into the incident to rule out any further risks and ensure that safety measures are reinforced.
The fire has also raised concerns about the maintenance of electrical appliances within the prison system, with some officials calling for a review of safety protocols in correctional facilities nationwide.
As of Tuesday morning, normal operations have resumed at Dendermonde Prison, though additional checks and security measures are being conducted to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
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