Linkeroever Fire Support Campaign Raises Nearly €8,000

A crowdfunding campaign launched to support victims of the devastating apartment fire on Linkeroever (Left Bank) in Antwerp has raised nearly €8,000, offering a lifeline to residents who lost their homes and belongings in the July 1 blaze. The campaign, organized on Steunactie.be, collected €7,850 from 235 donors, reaching 79% of its €10,000 target before closing on July 14.

The Tragedy

On the morning of July 1, a severe fire broke out in a 10-story apartment building at August Vermeylenlaan on Linkeroever. According to VRT NWS, the fire originated on the ground floor and spread rapidly through the utility shaft to upper floors. Five women lost their lives, and 16 others were injured, though none remain in life-threatening condition. All injured have since been released from hospital.

The fire was caused by an accident during the installation of a new electrical cabinet. A copper water pipe was struck, causing water to leak onto the power supply, leading to a short circuit and extreme temperatures. The case has been classified by prosecutors as involuntary arson and involuntary manslaughter, with the judicial investigation ongoing.

Community Rallies

Steve Van de Voorde, a friend of a resident who was safely evacuated, launched the crowdfunding campaign on the day of the fire. “Many people have lost all their belongings and will have to start completely over,” he wrote on the campaign page.

The response was swift. Within two weeks, 235 donors contributed €7,850. Bob Van Passen, chairman of the homeowners’ association who also lives in the building, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support. “The contribution is what it is. I think the heart of many people has spoken. So it is very well received,” he told VRT NWS.

The funds are being held in a separate account managed by the homeowners’ association. Rather than distributing the money equally among all residents, the association is taking a targeted approach to help those most in need. “It is not the intention to pay out a minimal amount to everyone who lived here, but rather to help people who are in need,” Van Passen explained.

Ongoing Hardship

While the fundraising success demonstrates strong community solidarity, the road to recovery remains long for the building’s more than 200 residents. Approximately 40 apartments remain uninhabitable, with some expected to be off-limits for at least six months. Twenty apartments were declared habitable again by July 6.

The building still lacks basic utilities. There is no elevator, no electricity, and no sanitation in the affected sections. A metal emergency staircase is in use, which poses particular difficulties for elderly residents and families with children. A cleaning company is working to restore the apartments.

Mayor Els van Doesburg (N-VA) called the fire “a pitch-black day for Antwerp,” noting that “for many people, a mourning or processing process has begun.” The City of Antwerp has provided temporary housing, including 18 apartments at Woonzorgcentrum ‘t Zand and five rooms at the Hilton Hotel Groenplaats.

Looking Ahead

The homeowners’ association, led by Van Passen, is now focused on distributing the funds discreetly to those who need them most. Residents will be contacted by email to confidentially communicate their needs. “There are people who have really lost everything, and not everyone feels the need to say that in public. There is sometimes shame about that,” Van Passen said.

A silent wake held on July 12 drew hundreds of attendees, including residents, former neighbors, emergency responders, and city officials, reflecting the deep community bonds on Linkeroever. District Mayor Paul Cordy (N-VA) described the fire as “a gigantic tragedy for Linkeroever,” noting that many affected residents had lived in the neighborhood for decades.

As the judicial investigation continues and residents begin the slow process of rebuilding their lives, the €7,850 raised through the campaign stands as a testament to the generosity of the community. Van Passen, who has become an informal disaster coordinator for the building, summed up the spirit of the response: “The support I receive is the oxygen I need to keep going.”

This article was compiled from reports by VRT NWS and the City of Antwerp.