Saint-Josse-ten-Noode Mayor Emir Kir has decided to suspend work on a site in his commune, following the identification of stability problems in two buildings on Friday.
Kir said just after 21:15 on Friday that the commune had finalised an emergency plan launched on Friday morning, after finding lodging for all residents of the two buildings – at Rue Scailquin 56 and Louvain Road 47-51 – which had to be evacuated.
At the end of the day, a stability expert sent by the commune to the sites submitted his report, blaming cracks that had appeared in the buildings on a nearby worksite. The management of the works has been summoned by the mayor for a hearing next week.
"We have done the necessary to ensure the population’s safety and relocate the inhabitants," Kir said. "The next stage is to identify the responsibilities. In the first place, that of the worksite, which will only be restarted if all guarantees are made. We shall be uncompromising. You cannot build without regard for public safety."
The fire services had been alerted on Friday at about 10:30 by a resident who said cracks had appeared in his building.
"They noted the cracks at the site and called in a municipal engineer," Brussels Fire Service spokesperson Walter Derieuw explained. "We decided jointly to evacuate the two buildings, which have a total of 24 to 27 apartments. Some people will be lodged by their families and others by the municipal services."
Gas and electricity were cut off in the two buildings, and residents were evacuated to the Guy Cudell room under the supervision of the police and the communal services present at the site.
