A block of flats on the sea front in the West Flemish coastal resort of Blankenberge has been rendered uninhabitable during demolition work on an adjoining building. The rear wall of the block was damaged and several flats have been rendered uninhabitable.
Block of flats on Blankenberge sea front uninhabitable after blunder by builder
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The building is on the corner of the Zeedijk and the Verstraetehelling. A contractor is currently carrying out demolition work on an adjoining building. A construction error when the block of flats was built means that it is likely that a side wall was omitted and that only the side wall of the house that is currently being demolished separated the two buildings.
At first it was feared that the entire rear wall of the block would collapse. Fortunately, this did not happen, although the building was initially declared uninhabitable.
The damaged rear wall of the building is now full of holes and cracks and the rooms of some of the flats in the building are now completely exposed to the elements. The building contractor will now support and seal the wall so that the elements cannot cause any further damage to the flats.
Most of the damaged flats are holiday or second homes. The municipal authority in Blankenberge will find alternative accommodation or two permanent residents of the building.
