Firefighter killed in gas explosion in Brussels

A Brussels firefighter has died and three people were seriously injured following a double gas explosion in a building behind Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral. 

One of the three seriously injured is a firefighter and the other two are Sibelga employees.

“This loss affects the Brussels Fire Brigade and the wider fire service family particularly deeply,” said fire brigade spokesperson Walter Derieuw. 

The firefighter who died has been named as Sergeant-Major Olivier Francotte.

"Our thoughts are first and foremost with his family, his loved ones and his colleagues," Derieuw added. 

"We would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone for the many expressions of sympathy, solidarity and support we have received. In these particularly painful hours, they mean the world to us.”

Interior minister Bernard Quintin (MR), responsible for the fire service, called for people to “take a moment to reflect on the emergency services personnel who dedicate themselves every day to protecting our society”.

It has been four years since the Brussels Fire Brigade last lost a colleague. Jean-François died on 16 March 2022 fighting a raging fire at the former Sheraton Hotel when an escalator collapsed and he was buried beneath the rubble.

Friday’s accident took place when a contractor accidentally drilled into a gas pipe in a building that houses a European organisation called the Single Resolution Board (SRB).

According to Giorgio Lo Blanco of the European Commission’s internal security service, the fire brigade had to enter the building to better repair the entire pipeline. 

“They did so together with two Sibelga employees. That’s when we heard two explosions,” Lo Blanco said.

“Suddenly there was a lot of smoke outside and the building suffered severe damage inside.”

The building where the works were taking place was completely evacuated of its about 100 occupants and a security perimeter was established around the site.

A Bruzz reporter at the scene said the drill bit that caused the gas leak was still in the wall, and “when the drill bit was being removed, a spark was generated which caused the explosion”.

Because the building belongs to the European Union, the Belgian public prosecutor’s office has no jurisdiction and the labour inspectorate had to first obtain permission to launch an investigation on Saturday.

The gas leak also temporarily affected tram services in Brussels.

Politicians and civil society organisations reacted to the death of Sergeant-Major Olivier Francotte with expressions of condolences.

“A tragedy has unfolded in Brussels today,” mayor Philippe Close (PS) said in a statement on social media. 

“A member of our public services lost his life whilst trying to protect the lives of others. The City of Brussels stands by those affected by this tragedy, and by their families and loved ones. 

"Each of these men and women shows us how important prevention and investment in our public services are. 

"Only in this way can we prevent such tragedies from happening again. We must learn from this quickly. Out of respect for the firefighter who lost his life and for all those injured on this tragic day."

Justice minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) also expressed condolences on social media.

“A firefighter lost his life while courageously serving others,” Verlinden wrote. 

“My thoughts are with his family, friends and all his colleagues who must come to terms with this heavy loss. 

"This tragedy reminds us that our emergency services personnel are on standby day and night to help others, often at the risk of their own lives. Our respect and gratitude for their dedication know no bounds."

Francotte, a firefighter in the 21st Company, joined the service in 2001.

King Philippe spoke by telephone with the chief of the Brussels Fire Brigade to express his condolences to the family of the deceased firefighter and to the entire brigade.

“He also expressed his great respect for the high-risk operations our staff carry out to rescue and bring fellow human beings to safety,” a spokesman said. 

“This gesture of sympathy and recognition touches us deeply in these extremely painful circumstances.”

The union for fire fighters also expressed support and condolences.

“The ACOD Brussels Fire Brigade is in mourning,” said Patrick Giebens, trade union representative at ACOD.

“This proves once again how important it is to invest in the fire service, both in terms of equipment and personnel.”