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At least 6 killed in Brussels building fire

BRUSSELS (AP) — At least six people were killed and two injured in a fire on Tuesday at a building being renovated in downtown Brussels. Authorities in the Belgian capital said that their bodies had been found in an elevator at the site.

The fire started on the second floor of the building in a main shopping area, and the flames spread into a lift shaft, said Brecht Speybrouck, a spokesperson for the Labor Audit Office. He said that 250 workers at the site were evacuated.

First responders struggled to get to the lift shaft, where at least two elevators had been blocked. On Tuesday evening, the Labor Audit Office confirmed that six bodies were found in one of the elevators, according to Belgian broadcaster RTBF. The bodies had not been identified.

Brussels mayor Philippe Close told The Associated Press that thermal cameras and sniffer dogs were used to try to find the victims.

He said that “firefighters, rescue workers and police were there immediately. Everyone knew what they had to do and that probably helped to avoid a greater tragedy.”

Belgium’s King Philippe toured the site several hours later along with Prime Minister Bart De Wever.

Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said he was “shocked” by the incident.

“My thoughts go out to the victims, their loved ones, and everyone still in uncertainty,” Quintin said in a post on social media. “A sincere thank you to our fire department and all emergency services for their dedication.”

At least 6 killed in Brussels building fire | iNFOnews.ca
Belgium’s King Philippe, second left, and Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever, left, thank emergency workers on the scene after a fire at a building complex in the center of Brussels, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman)
At least 6 killed in Brussels building fire | iNFOnews.ca
Emergency workers on site during a fire at a building complex in the center of Brussels, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman)
At least 6 killed in Brussels building fire | iNFOnews.ca
Emergency workers on site during a fire at a building complex in the center of Brussels, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman)
At least 6 killed in Brussels building fire | iNFOnews.ca
The Oxy Building complex in the center of Brussels, where a fire broke out on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman)

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The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.