A gas explosion in which a 38-year-old man was killed has caused considerable damage to homes in a street in the Limburg municipality of Maasmechelen. The prosecutor’s office has sent a fire expert to the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
2 houses completely destroyed and other homes damaged following gas explosion in Maasmechelen
Published:
The explosion happened at around 7pm on Monday evening on the Steenkuilstraat in Maasmechelen. 2 houses were completely destroyed and several houses on the opposite side of the street and a number of parked cars also sustained damage in the explosion.
Local residents were evacuated due to the strong smell of gas. They were allowed to return home late on Monday evening. The prosecutor’s office has appointed a fire investigation expert to the case. The expert will visit the scene today (Tuesday).
38-jarige man killed
A 38-year-old man was killed in the blast. He rented the property with his girlfriend. It is currently not clear where she is. Amber Mac of the LaMa Local Police Service told VRT News that "She was not found among the rubble". The area around the house has been cordoned off. The owner of the house were abroad at the time of the blast.
The location of the occupants of the second house destroyed in the blast is also still unclear. They were not at home at the time of the explosion.