Brussels Gas Explosion Kills Firefighter; King’s Sympathy
A devastating double gas explosion in a building in central Brussels on Friday claimed the life of a Brussels firefighter and left three other people seriously injured. The incident occurred at the Treurenberg, near Brussels Central Station, after a contractor accidentally drilled into a low-pressure gas pipe during renovation works, according to VRT NWS.
Sergeant-Major Olivier Francotte (50), a firefighter with the 21st company of the Brussels Fire Brigade, was killed in the explosions. Three others were seriously injured — two employees of Sibelga, Brussels’ gas network operator, and a second firefighter — and were taken to hospital with burns of unknown severity.
The Incident
Around 100 people were evacuated from the building at 22 Treurenberg shortly before noon on Friday after a contractor accidentally struck a gas pipe during renovation work. Brussels firefighters and Sibelga teams responded to the scene and established a security perimeter.
Around 14:00, two explosions occurred in the already-evacuated building on level -1. According to Serena Galeone, spokesperson for Sibelga, the explosions did not occur at the location of the damaged gas pipe but inside the building itself, where gas had presumably accumulated. Witnesses reported hearing two loud blasts and feeling the ground shake.
The building houses the Single Resolution Board (SRB), a decentralized agency of the European Union responsible for the orderly resolution of failing banks. The building is owned by the European Commission and is considered international territory rather than Belgian territory, which has legal implications for the investigation.
“The windows and the elevators in the building are all broken, and there are large cracks in the walls,” said Giorgio Lo Bianco, prevention advisor for the European Commission.
King Philippe Expresses Condolences
King Philippe telephoned the head of the Brussels Fire Brigade, Colonel Tanguy du Bus de Warnaffe, on Saturday morning to express his condolences to the family of the fallen firefighter and to the entire brigade, as Het Laatste Nieuws reported.
“His Majesty the King contacted me by telephone to express his condolences to the family of our deceased colleague and to the entire brigade,” said Colonel du Bus de Warnaffe. “He also expressed his great respect for the risky missions our staff undertake to save and protect others. This gesture of compassion and recognition has deeply moved us in these very painful circumstances.”
The Brussels Fire Brigade issued a statement mourning the loss of their colleague. “The loss of Olivier deeply affects the Brussels Fire Brigade and the very large fire brigade family,” said spokesperson Walter Derieuw. “Our thoughts go first and foremost to his family, his loved ones and his colleagues.”
Political Reactions
Belgian political leaders expressed their condolences and paid tribute to the fallen firefighter. Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) said he was “deeply affected by the death of a firefighter after the events in Brussels,” adding that “words fail me.” He thanked all emergency services for their commitment, as reported by BRUZZ.
Brussels Mayor Philippe Close (PS) said: “Today a drama has unfolded in Brussels. A Brussels firefighter, an employee of our public services, lost his life while trying to protect that of others.” He emphasized that “we must draw lessons from this quickly.”
Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) noted that “this tragedy reminds us that our emergency workers are ready day and night for others, often at the risk of their own lives.”
The ACOD Fire Brigade Brussels union also expressed its grief, saying: “With immense sadness we have learned of the death of our colleague, as a result of an explosion during an intervention.”
Investigation Underway
The Labour Auditor’s Office has launched an investigation into the incident. Because the building is EU property, the Belgian public prosecutor’s office is not directly competent, and the Labour Auditor’s Office had to first obtain authorization to begin its inquiry. A fire expert was appointed and began work on Saturday, according to The Brussels Times.
Valentina Marocchi, spokesperson for the Labour Auditor’s Office of Brussels, confirmed: “The four people were injured simultaneously during the explosion. Three of them were seriously injured and taken to hospital. The second firefighter had to be freed, but unfortunately died.”
Impact and Aftermath
The gas leak caused significant disruption in central Brussels. Tram lines 92 and 93 were temporarily interrupted between Louiza and Kruidtuin stations, with services resuming around 18:00. The structural integrity of the building was assessed, with no danger of falling debris reported.
This is the first time in four years that the Brussels Fire Brigade has lost a colleague in the line of duty. The previous death was that of Jean-François Spelmans (49), who died in March 2022 during a fire at the former Sheraton hotel in Brussels.
A tribute to Olivier Francotte is planned for the coming week, with details to be determined in consultation with his family, as The Brussels Times reported. The investigation into the exact cause of the explosions continues as the fire expert examines the scene.