Brussels, Belgium – Shoppers at the Basilix shopping centre in Berchem Sainte-Agathe were evacuated on Friday morning following a gas leak on Avenue Marie de Hongrie in the neighbouring commune of Ganshoren.
Brussels firefighters, along with utility company Sibelga and local police, responded swiftly to contain the situation.
The evacuation was ordered as a precaution after a medium-pressure gas leak was detected, prompting authorities to establish a 50-metre safety perimeter around the affected area.
In addition to the shopping centre, the Delhaize supermarket was also cleared, and nearby residents were advised to keep their windows closed to prevent potential exposure to gas fumes.
Rapid Response by Emergency Services
Brussels Fire Brigade spokesperson Walter Derieuw confirmed that emergency teams promptly arrived at the scene to assess and mitigate the risks posed by the leak.
“A 50-metre safety perimeter was established. Shoppers at Basilix shopping centre and Delhaize supermarket were evacuated as a precaution,” he stated. The fire brigade worked closely with Sibelga to secure the area and prevent any escalation of the incident.
Sibelga specialists were deployed to reduce the gas pressure and seal the leak, which was reportedly caused by a contractor carrying out preparatory work for a project to permanently repair a previously-reported gas leak.
Shops Set to Reopen
Following the swift intervention, emergency workers successfully stopped the gas leak. “Shops will be able to reopen shortly,” assured Derieuw, adding that normal operations in the area would resume once safety checks were completed.
Despite the containment of the leak, authorities cautioned that residents and businesses might still experience residual gas odours for several hours.
“The gas cloud, mixed with dust, may still cause odour nuisances for several hours. A street-sweeping truck will then be deployed to clean the area,” Derieuw added.
Public Reactions and Safety Measures
The incident caused temporary disruption to shoppers and local businesses. “It was a bit chaotic at first, but the evacuation was handled professionally,” said one shopper who was present at Basilix shopping centre when the alarm was raised.
Another resident noted that they had smelled gas in the area the previous evening but had not expected such a response.
Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and report any lingering gas odours. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of strict safety protocols when dealing with infrastructure repairs involving gas lines.
As the situation normalises, local businesses are expected to resume operations without further delays, with officials expressing confidence that all necessary precautions have been taken to ensure public safety.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
