Treurenberg Seals Lifted After Explosion Expert Examination
The seals placed on the Treurenberg building in Brussels have been lifted following the examination by a fire and explosion expert commissioned by the Brussels Labour Auditorate, according to RTBF. The expert conducted the necessary investigation observations on Saturday at the building of the Single Resolution Board (SRB), near Brussels Central Station, with findings concluding on Sunday afternoon.
The Fatal Incident
The investigation stems from a tragic incident on Friday, August 14, when a contractor accidentally damaged a low-pressure gas pipe at 22 Treurenberg during work reportedly related to fiber optic installation. Approximately one hundred people were evacuated from the building, and a security perimeter was established in the busy area near Brussels Central Station.
Two deflagrations occurred inside the building while firefighters and Sibelga, the Brussels gas network operator, were intervening. According to Sibelga, the deflagrations did not occur at the level of the damaged pipe but inside the building, where gas had apparently accumulated. As RTL Info reported, the second explosion was stronger than the first and was felt in neighboring buildings.
A Firefighter Lost
Sergeant-Major Olivier Francotte of the 21st company of Brussels firefighters died during the intervention. He had joined the fire service in 2001. An autopsy has been requested. Three other people were seriously injured in the explosions - one firefighter and two Sibelga collaborators - all suffering serious burns. The Auditorate has stated it will not communicate precise details about their health status out of respect for the families.
The death of Francotte prompted an outpouring of tributes. Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed his deep sorrow on social media, and King Philippe personally called the Chief of Corps of Brussels Firefighters to convey his condolences. As RTL Info reported, Chief of Corps Tanguy du Bus de Warnaffe said the King “expressed his profound respect for our collaborators who carry out risky missions to rescue the population.”
Witnesses near the scene described the chaos that unfolded. A bakery worker told Brussels Today: “I arrived at work at 11am, and the street was already blocked. It smelled of gas. After that we heard a boom. And smoke arrived. There was smoke everywhere on the square.”
Investigation Progress
The Brussels Labour Auditorate, the public prosecutor’s office responsible for workplace safety and labor law violations, took charge of the investigation because the incident occurred during work activities. A stability assessment conducted on Friday ruled out any risk of building collapse or falling elements on the public thoroughfare.
The fire and explosion expert was able to make useful findings for the investigation, according to the Auditorate. As La Libre reported, the four victims were two firefighters and two Sibelga agents. The investigation is being conducted by the Auditorate, which has not yet announced any conclusions.
The Building at the Center
The building at 22 Treurenberg houses the Single Resolution Board (SRB), a decentralized agency of the European Union responsible for the orderly resolution of failing banks within the European Banking Union. It is located in a sensitive area of Brussels, between the Central Station, the Parliament of the French Community, the Federal Parliament, and a major public transport junction. As VRT NWS noted, the incident also disrupted public transport, with tram lines 92 and 93 interrupted between Louise and Botanique, though service resumed later that evening.
What’s Next
The lifting of the seals marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation, allowing access to the building to resume. However, the Auditorate has not yet announced any conclusions from the investigation, nor a timeline for when they might be released. The expert’s findings will be crucial in determining the exact circumstances that led to the fatal explosions and in assessing potential responsibility for the incident.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding how a routine repair operation turned into a deadly tragedy, and on ensuring that lessons are learned to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Brussels firefighting community continues to mourn the loss of Sergeant-Major Olivier Francotte, whose sacrifice has been recognized at the highest levels of the Belgian state.