Fire at Brussels’ Oxy Tower: Two Workers Hospitalized with Severe Burns
A fire broke out Tuesday morning at the Oxy Tower near De Brouckère Square in central Brussels, sending two construction workers to the hospital with severe burns and injuring a firefighter. The blaze prompted the evacuation of approximately 200 workers from the iconic building, which is currently undergoing a major renovation.
Context
The fire started in the early morning on the second floor of the Oxy Tower, the former Muntcentrum (Mint Center) that is being redeveloped into a multifunctional complex featuring offices, apartments, a hotel, and retail spaces. According to VRT NWS, the flames quickly spread to the first floor and traveled through the elevator shaft down to the -2 level, creating three separate fire zones that required a coordinated response from multiple firefighting units.
Key Developments
Walter Derieuw, spokesperson for the Brussels Fire Brigade, described the scene upon arrival: “When we arrived, the fire had already spread to the 1st floor and via the elevator shaft to -2. The three fires have been extinguished, but we are still searching for possible victims.”
Two workers were transported with severe burns to the Military Hospital in Brussels and the University Hospital in Leuven (UZ Leuven). Derieuw described their condition as “zorgwekkend” (concerning), indicating the severity of their injuries. A firefighter suffering from heat exhaustion was treated on site, De Morgen reported.
Special search-and-rescue teams are methodically checking elevator shafts and cabins for any workers who may still be trapped. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and authorities are still awaiting a complete tally of contractors and subcontractors who were on site. Derieuw noted that the count of workers from various contractors and subcontractors had not yet been finalized, leaving open the possibility that additional workers could be unaccounted for.
Analysis & Implications
This is the second fire at the Oxy building during its renovation. In April 2024, a fire broke out on the roof in an old ventilation installation, though that incident caused no injuries, as VRT NWS reported. The recurrence raises serious questions about fire safety protocols on major construction sites, particularly regarding the spread of flames through vertical shafts — a known risk in high-rise building renovations.
The OXY project, developed by Immobel and Whitewood with architectural design by Norway’s Snøhetta and Belgium’s Binst Architects, is a flagship urban renewal initiative for Brussels. The 62,000 m² building is slated to include 112 residential units, a 316-room four-star hotel, a rooftop bar, and a 6,000 m² public rooftop garden. Energy company Engie had announced plans to relocate its Belgian headquarters to the building in June 2024, underscoring the project’s significance to the city’s commercial landscape.
Mayor of Brussels Philippe Close arranged for evacuated workers to be sheltered at the BruCity building’s staff restaurant, where the Red Cross is providing psychological support, according to L’Avenir. The activation of both an internal emergency plan and a psychosocial support plan highlights the scale of the incident’s impact on the workforce.
What’s Next
Authorities are expected to launch a formal investigation into the fire’s origin, and labor inspectors may review workplace safety protocols on the construction site. The incident could also delay the OXY renovation timeline, as structural assessments will be needed before work can resume. The condition of the two hospitalized workers remains a primary concern for emergency services, while the broader implications for construction site safety in Brussels are likely to draw scrutiny from city officials and labor organizations alike.