All residents of an apartment building on Crickxstraat in the Brussels municipality of Saint-Gilles were evacuated Saturday evening around 17:00 after 13 gas burners in the building were found to be in “lamentable condition,” according to Brussels fire department spokesperson Walter Derieuw.
Five people were hospitalised with carbon monoxide poisoning, including a child around five to six years old.
The carbon monoxide threat was discovered after a woman fell ill and went to the hospital, where her condition was diagnosed as CO poisoning. The hospital alerted emergency services and requested that the six-storey apartment building be checked for CO levels.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that 13 gas burners were in a poor state. Two gas heaters were also found to be disconnected from the chimney. The building was in poor condition overall, stated Derieuw. In coordination with Sibelga, the gas supply to the building was shut off.
In the woman’s apartment, the fire department measured critical levels of carbon dioxide levels. According to Derieuw, the concentration was high enough to cause loss of consciousness and, if left unaddressed, could be fatal. The fire department intervened in time to prevent a potential tragedy.
The remaining residents of the apartment building were evacuated. Four others were also taken to the hospital with CO poisoning. The owner has been instructed by the fire department to make necessary improvements to meet legal standards. Residents who did not require hospitalisation have since been allowed to return to their apartments.
Derieuw emphasised the importance of safety measures to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Gas burners must be certified by an authorised body and inspected every two years by a technician. Additionally, buildings should be well-ventilated, and CO detectors should be installed.
