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The headquarters of the European Commission is likely to remain closed for some days after a fire broke out yesterday in the basement area of the huge 13-storey building.
The fire at the Berlaymont in the heart of Brussels’ EU district was first noticed by journalists working in the basement press room at around midday yesterday. Smoke rapidly spread through ventilation shafts where it billowed from the roof of the building. Everyone was safely evacuated, though there are reports that the fire alarm was not activated for 15-20 minutes after smoke was first noticed.
Some 40 firefighters tackled the fire for several hours. Up to 3000 people normally work at the building. The 27 EU Commissioners and their immediate staff were relocated to other EU buildings in the area.
The cause of the fire is being investigated. The distinctive four-winged 1960s building was reopened in 2004 after many years of renovation.
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