Prosecutor Confirms Antwerp Tower Fire Electrical Work Cause

A devastating fire that claimed the lives of five women in a residential tower on Antwerp’s Linkeroever (Left Bank) last week was sparked during the installation of a new electrical cabinet, the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office confirmed on Wednesday. The blaze, which broke out on July 1 at the 10-story building on August Vermeylenlaan, also left 16 people injured, mostly from smoke inhalation.

According to VRT NWS, investigators determined that workers installing a new electrical cabinet struck a copper water pipe, causing water to leak onto the building’s power supply. This triggered a short circuit and extreme temperatures, igniting a fire that spread rapidly through a utility shaft that acted as a chimney, channeling smoke and flames to the upper floors.

The Victims

All five victims were women aged 54 to 93. Among them was Lesley Rombaut (54), who worked at the University of Antwerp’s ICT department, and her mother Laura (93), who lived in the building. Rombaut’s partner, Sabrina, told VRT NWS that Lesley died trying to warn neighbors as the fire spread.

“Lesley acted without a second’s hesitation,” Sabrina said. “She guided everyone toward the stairs. On the way down, while walking and shouting, she knocked on apartment doors to warn other residents.” Their 13-year-old daughter, who was visiting with Lesley at the time, managed to escape down the stairs. The other three victims were residents aged 72, 78, and 80.

Eyewitness Accounts

Former Antwerp mayor Bob Cools (92), who lived on the eighth floor of the building, described the terror of the fire in an emotional interview. Cools and his wife Jacky were evacuated from their apartment and are now staying in a care home. He told VRT NWS that the greatest loss was learning that two of his neighbors, both named Maria, had died.

“I can’t talk about it without crying,” Cools said. “One of them was my partner in mischief. We used to secretly feed the birds together, even though it’s not allowed.” Cools, who served as mayor from 1976 to 1994, noted the fire reminded him of the 1994 Switel Hotel fire, which killed 15 people just days before he left office.

Resident Geert Dewulf, who lived on the 10th floor, described how the electricity cut out first, followed by the fire alarm three minutes later. “There was already smoke in the hallways,” he said. He and his partner were rescued by firefighters using a ladder from their terrace.

Investigation and Legal Classification

The judicial investigation, led by an investigating judge with a court-appointed fire expert, is ongoing. The Antwerp prosecutor’s office has classified the facts as involuntary arson and involuntary manslaughter. On Tuesday evening, the prosecutor organized an information session for victims’ families and residents, where the investigating judge, fire expert, and detectives presented their initial findings, with specialized victim support services in attendance.

The investigation will examine whether negligence occurred during the electrical works and who bears responsibility. Potential liability could fall on the electrical contractor, the building management, or others involved in the installation.

Emergency Response

The fire prompted a large-scale emergency response involving multiple fire zones, including Brandweer Zone Antwerpen, Hulpverleningszone Waasland, Brandweer Zone Rand, and Hulpverleningszone Rivierenland. The Medical Intervention Plan was activated to distribute casualties across hospitals, and drones were used for reconnaissance. The City of Antwerp established an FAQ page and a condolence register for the victims.

King Filip of Belgium visited the disaster site on the day of the fire alongside Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Antwerp Governor Cathy Berx, underscoring the national significance of the tragedy.

Safety Questions and Forward Look

The rapid spread of fire through the utility shaft has raised urgent questions about fire safety regulations in high-rise residential buildings. The building, home to approximately 80 apartments and over 200 residents, had a total renovation already planned in collaboration with the City of Antwerp, suggesting pre-existing concerns about its condition.

The incident is likely to prompt a broader review of fire safety measures in similar residential towers across Belgium, particularly regarding fire detection systems, sprinkler requirements, and emergency evacuation procedures. As the investigation continues, authorities will determine whether existing regulations are adequate to prevent such tragedies in the future.