Kanal museum in Brussels suffers roof fire

A blaze that broke out under the roof of the Kanal – Centre Pompidou museum was quickly brought under control by Brussels firefighters on Monday afternoon, although billowing black smoke continued to rise from the landmark site.

The Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police set up a security perimeter around the former Art Deco Citroën garage site in Place Sainctelette. Quai de Willebroeck was partially closed to traffic in both directions.

As a precaution, the Quai d'Été summer event in Quai des Péniches was temporarily evacuated. Local residents were advised to keep their doors and windows closed as the fire service worked to completely extinguish the blaze.

The fire started in a technical room under the roof of one of the buildings of the cultural site that is due to open to the public on 28 November.

Firefighters worked simultaneously from both inside and outside the building to control it, according to Walter Derieuw, spokesperson for the Brussels fire brigade, reported RTBF.

No staff members were in the building when the fire started and there were no reports of any casualties, he said.

The spokesperson sought to reassure the public: “It was less serious than it appeared. It is also highly unlikely that any works of art were already in the building. But we currently have no idea of the potential damage.”

Experts will be called in to examine the damage to the future museum to determine if the building's structure has been affected, said the fire service.

The Kanal Foundation indicated that the fire was limited to the technical roof of the structure that will house the future Kanal Architecture centre. It said no damage has been reported outside of this part of the building and no artworks were yet on site.

A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday with the contractor and the Kanal Foundation to assess the potential impact of the fire on the rest of the construction project. Police and the public prosecutor's office will investigate the cause of the blaze.

The long-awaited €230 million cultural hub dedicated to modern and contemporary art is already battling financial woes due to reduced subsidies from the Brussels-Capital Region. Its director Yves Goldstein also announced in June his planned resignation.

An ambitious multidisciplinary programme is planned for the 40,000m² flagship museum space. As well as the mega-entrance hall and facilities, Kanal will boast four catering establishments, from a local bakery and brasserie to a more expensive restaurant and rooftop bar.

Photos: ©Brussels Fire Brigade; ©KANAL AK W Buyse