Father and Son Die in Anderlecht Fish Shop Fire
A father who ran a fish wholesale business and his son have died in a devastating fire at their storage depot in Anderlecht, Brussels, authorities confirmed on Monday. The blaze, which broke out on the morning of Saturday, June 6, consumed the facility on Maurice Herbettelaan and sent a massive plume of black smoke visible across the capital.
The Fire and Emergency Response
The fire was reported around 7:00 AM CET on Saturday, igniting in the roof of a single-story storage depot used as a fish wholesale warehouse. Approximately 60 firefighters and five pump trucks responded to the scene, according to HLN. The fire spread rapidly, and the risk of structural collapse initially prevented firefighters from entering the building.
About 50 to 70 nearby residents were evacuated and temporarily housed in a local school. The municipal emergency plan was activated, and a BE-Alert warning was sent instructing residents to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke and the presence of a small amount of asbestos in the roof. The fire was brought under control by around 10:00 AM, and the emergency plan was lifted by approximately 2:00 PM. One firefighter sustained a minor knee injury during the operation.
Discovery of Victims
During debris removal on Saturday evening, emergency services made a tragic discovery: multiple bodies were found beneath the rubble. The Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office was immediately notified, and an investigating judge, a fire expert, a Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team, and a forensic doctor were dispatched to the scene, as BRUZZ reported.
On Monday, June 8, the prosecutor’s office officially confirmed two fatalities: Amine Bakkali, a man in his twenties, and his father, both residents of Ganshoren, a neighboring Brussels municipality. Authorities had initially feared more victims, with reports of up to two missing persons, but ultimately confirmed only two deaths.
A Family Well-Known in the Community
Khadija El Mahyaoui (PS), chairwoman of the OCMW (Public Social Welfare Center) in Ganshoren, told VRT NWS that the family was well-known and beloved in the municipality. The father had been operating a fish wholesale business from the depot, which included a cooled storage area for his products.
According to El Mahyaoui, Amine was waiting in the car when the fire broke out, while his father was still inside the building. “Amine reportedly sent a message to his family saying he was going to look for his father,” she said. “That was unfortunately the last they heard from him.”
Investigation Underway
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Possible causes include construction materials or e-bike and e-step batteries stored on the premises. Local resident Michel Mostenne, whose apartment overlooks the depot, told BRUZZ that he heard e-bike batteries had exploded. He also raised concerns about the lack of oversight regarding what materials are stored in such facilities.
“In just a few minutes, the fire spread extremely quickly,” Mostenne said. “Maybe the municipality could take steps in the future to investigate what exactly goes on in this kind of shed.”
The judicial investigation is ongoing, with an investigating judge, fire experts, and forensic specialists examining the scene. The police victim support service and the justice house’s victim reception service have been activated to support the bereaved family.
Community Mourning
Mayor of Ganshoren Jean-Paul van Laethem (Les Engagés) stated he would visit the family to express condolences. Social media has seen an outpouring of support for the Bakkali family, who were described as deeply integrated into the Ganshoren community.
“Many people sympathize with them,” El Mahyaoui said. “The loss is very heavy for the family. They are devastated with grief.”
No public memorial has been planned yet, but the mayor indicated that any request would be handled with due attention.
What to Watch For
The investigation into the fire’s origin continues, with authorities yet to determine whether the blaze was accidental or if other factors were involved. The incident has reignited discussions about fire safety regulations in commercial storage facilities, particularly those housing lithium-ion batteries from e-bikes and e-steps. Depending on the investigation’s findings, regulatory changes may be considered to prevent similar tragedies in the future.