The major blaze in which five women lost their lives last week in a block of flats on Antwerp’s Left Bank was caused when a copper water pipe was struck during the installation of a new electrical box. The cause was confirmed by a fire investigator.
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Public Prosecutor confirms fire in Antwerp block of flats caused by electrical work
Colin Clapson
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According to investigators, water from the resulting leak came into contact with the power supply to the flats, causing a short circuit and extremely high temperatures, which in turn led to a fire. The fire then spread rapidly to the upper floors via the utility shaft.
The judicial investigation, led by an examining magistrate, is still in full swing, the Public Prosecutor’s Office says, and what happened is provisionally classified as unintentional arson and unintentional manslaughter.
On Tuesday evening, the public prosecutor’s office organised a briefing for the relatives of the victims and the residents of the apartment block. The examining magistrate, the fire expert and the criminal investigation department outlined the initial findings of the investigation. Those present received support from specialist victim support services.
