House fire
A serious fire destroyed a house in the Vuurtorenwijk in Ostend on Sunday morning. Two residents were badly burned, two other victims suffered minor injuries. “The mother of the family in particular would be in dire straits.”
The fire started shortly after 8 a.m. on Sunday morning. Residents of the adjacent apartment building were awakened by the commotion in the street. “Our dogs started barking loudly,” it sounds. “The police were already at our door then. The whole street was full of smoke, so we immediately packed our things.”
It quickly became clear that it was a serious house fire. Eduard Hammanstraat and several adjacent streets in the Vuurtorenwijk were closed. The fire brigade rushed from various stations. In addition to the corps from Ostend, teams from De Haan, Blankenberge and Middelkerke also arrived on site.
Cause unknown
It took a long time before the flames were under control. “A total of four people were taken to hospital,” said Timmy Van Assche, spokesperson for the local police in Ostend. “Two people are in serious condition. They were taken to the University Hospital in Ghent. The other victims (who only suffered minor injuries, ed.) are being treated in the hospital in Ostend.”
Mayor Bart Tommelein also came to the scene to take stock. “According to the first information, it concerns a mother, her two sons and her daughter,” Tommelein said. “Two people from the house were very badly burned, but were still able to leave the house on their own. The mother in particular would be in dire need.”
Nothing is yet known about a possible cause. A fire expert must provide a definitive answer. “The whole house has burned down,” says Tommelein. “Fortunately, the fire brigade was able to save the adjacent houses. Nine people were evacuated there. They are cared for at De Morotjes primary school, about 200 meters away.” (jve)
