Schaerbeek Fire: 2 Killed, 8 Injured in Overnight Blaze

Two people died and eight others were injured—two critically—when a fire swept through a residential building on the Haachtsesteenweg (Chaussée de Haecht) in Schaerbeek, Brussels, in the early hours of Sunday, July 26. Mayor Martin de Brabant activated the municipal emergency plan to coordinate the response of fire, medical, and support services.

According to VRT NWS, the fire broke out at around half past two in the morning in the common areas of the furthest stairwell of a building complex with multiple dwellings connected by a single entrance and several stairwells. About 50 people were registered at the address.

Emergency Response and Rescue

Firefighters arrived to find significant smoke already spreading into the street. Walter Derieuw, spokesperson for the Brussels Fire Department, described the scene: “Upon our arrival, there was already considerable smoke development, also in the street. We immediately started extinguishing operations and a search and rescue operation.”

During the search, crews discovered four unconscious individuals in an apartment on the third floor. Due to the heat, doors and windows had been left open, allowing smoke to enter the unit. The victims were evacuated by stairs to the second floor and then lowered by aerial ladder to awaiting medical teams. Tragically, two of them could not be revived.

Eight people were transported to various hospitals across the region. Two of the injured remain in critical condition with severe smoke inhalation. The fire was brought under control within about 40 minutes, though firefighters returned to the scene on Sunday morning to address a small re-ignition or residual smoke development.

A total of three command vehicles, three fire pumps (with one held in tactical reserve), and two aerial ladders were deployed. Medical Emergency Services 112 dispatched three MUG (SMUR) teams and seven ambulances. The Brussels North police zone, the Red Cross, Sibelga (gas/electricity utility), MIVB/STIB (public transport), and Schaerbeek municipal services all contributed to the operation.

Municipal Emergency Plan Activated

Mayor Martin de Brabant, who visited the scene personally to oversee coordination, activated the municipal emergency plan. About 20 evacuated residents were taken to Schaerbeek town hall, where a reception center was set up in cooperation with the Red Cross. An MIVB/STIB bus transported the affected residents to the shelter.

In a joint statement cited by RTBF, de Brabant and the Brussels Fire Department spokesperson said: “Our first thoughts go out to the deceased victims, their loved ones, and all residents affected by this tragic fire. The municipality and emergency services are joining forces to provide everyone with the necessary medical, psychosocial, and practical support.”

The Medical Intervention Plan (MIP) included a psychosocial component for victims and families. Notably, specialized support was also arranged for the crew of the first fire pump that arrived on scene, reflecting evolving practices regarding trauma care for first responders.

Investigation and Broader Context

The Brussels prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the cause of the fire. A fire expert and forensic laboratory are examining the scene to determine how the blaze started.

According to BRUZZ, the two deaths bring the total number of lives lost in accidental fires in Brussels in 2026 to 13, underscoring persistent fire safety challenges in the capital region.

The timing of the incident—occurring just hours after a preliminary agreement was reached to suspend a five-day strike by Brussels firefighters—has drawn scrutiny. The Brussels government and unions reached the pre-agreement on July 25, with unions subsequently calling for the strike to be suspended. BRUZZ noted that it remains uncertain how many firefighters were back on duty when the alarm sounded, though the scale of the response indicated sufficient resources were mobilized.

Looking Ahead

The fire raises urgent questions about fire safety in multi-dwelling buildings with shared stairwells—a common configuration across Brussels. The ease with which smoke propagated through the building, despite the fire being contained to common areas, underscores the importance of working smoke alarms, fire doors, and clear evacuation routes.

As the investigation continues, attention will also focus on whether the recently concluded firefighter strike had any bearing on response times or crew availability—a politically sensitive question given the timing. For now, the focus remains on supporting the victims, their families, and the roughly 50 residents displaced by the tragedy.

This article was compiled from reports by VRT NWS, BRUZZ, RTBF, De Morgen, and additional Belgian news sources.