Multiple people were killed after a major fire broke out at a residential high-rise building in the Belgian city of Antwerp on Wednesday morning, according to police. The blaze erupted on the eighth floor of a 10-storey apartment block located in the Linkeroever neighbourhood, which houses more than 200 residents. Authorities confirmed that thick smoke quickly spread from the building, prompting emergency response operations and evacuation efforts.

Police said the fire was first reported in the morning and rapidly escalated, leading to significant smoke engulfment across several floors. Emergency services rushed to the scene to control the blaze and assist residents trapped inside the structure. Officials have not yet released the exact number of fatalities, but confirmed that multiple deaths occurred in the incident. Rescue operations and firefighting efforts continued as authorities worked to ensure the safety of remaining residents.

As the fire spread, authorities issued urgent safety advisories to nearby residents, warning them to keep windows and doors closed and, where possible, switch off ventilation systems to prevent smoke inhalation. The densely populated building, which houses over 200 people, posed additional challenges for firefighters due to the rapid spread of smoke and the high number of occupants.

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Emergency teams from Antwerp’s fire services and police units were deployed to manage the situation, with evacuation and rescue efforts prioritised on the affected floors. Officials said the cause of the fire has not yet been determined and remains under investigation. Forensic teams are expected to examine the site once the fire is fully extinguished and conditions are deemed safe.

Authorities have assured residents that further details, including the exact death toll and identities of victims, will be released after verification. The incident has raised concerns about fire safety in high-density residential buildings, particularly those housing large numbers of occupants in multi-storey structures.

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