A house on Intendant Street, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, was completely destroyed by fire on Monday afternoon, Brussels firefighters reported.
Four children were taken to hospital for minor smoke inhalation.
“The house was fully ablaze, from the ground floor right through to the rear of the roof, " fire service spokesperson Walter Derieuw said. "The flames also spread to the back of two neighbouring properties.”
At the time of the disaster, the house was occupied by a family, including five children. They inhaled smoke, and four of the children were taken to hospital due to minor, smoke-related issues. The fifth child sustained a minor leg injury.
“The blaze is under control, however the extinguishing operation is ongoing,” Derieuw said on Monday afternoon.
Five fire engines and two ladders were deployed to the site to help extinguish the fire. Two Mobile Urgency Resuscitation Units and four ambulances were also dispatched, while the police established a safety perimeter.
The cause of the fire remained to be determined.
