Seven people, including two children, were trapped by smoke in a fire at a building housing a restaurant on the ground floor on Saturday evening in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean.

Smoke inhalation affected the victims, who were taken to hospital for treatment, the Brussels firefighters reported on Sunday morning.

Firefighters were called to the scene on Saturday around 18:50 at Place de la Duchesse de Brabant. The blaze started in the basement of the building.

“The smoke spread into the staircase, trapping three people on the third floor,” explained Walter Derieuw, the firefighter spokesperson. “We rescued them using a ladder truck. Seven others, including two children, exited via the stairs and suffered smoke inhalation before being taken to hospital for treatment.”

The fire was successfully extinguished, but it burst a water pipe and damaged the gas meter, leading to the water and gas supplies being cut off. After ventilating and checking carbon monoxide levels, the apartments were deemed habitable, though the restaurant must remain closed temporarily. Notably, the building lacked smoke detectors, which are required by law.

Firefighters took the opportunity to remind residents of proper emergency responses when staircases or exit routes are filled with smoke. “Stay inside your home, keep the door closed, and signal your presence to emergency services through windows or balconies for evacuation via a ladder truck,” they advised, urging actions similar to those taken by the individuals trapped on the third floor in this incident.

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