NewsWorld newsLIVEUpdated 2 mins agoA huge rescue operation is under way as a fire rips through an apartment block in the Belgian city of AntwerpA rescue operation is under way(Image: X)Updated 12:22, 01 Jul 2026Multiple people have been killed in an ongoing ‌fire at a 10-storey apartment block in the Belgian city of Antwerp.A huge rescue operation is under way after a fire broke out at the August Vermeylenlaan building - home to more than 200 people - in the Linkeroever district at around 10am CEST (9am BST).According to the fire department, the fire is located on the eighth floor. Police have already confirmed that "multiple" people have died and others have been injured.Resident Geert Dewulf told Belgian public TV how thick smoke had stopped him getting out of his flat: "We barricaded ourselves into our flat and waited on the balcony. The fire brigade came to rescue us from the balcony 10 minutes or so later with their ladder."View PostView PostView PostToday12:20 BSTMap shows location of building A map shows the location of the August Vermeylenlaan building, which police say is home to more than 200 people.Today12:15 BSTLocal residents told to keep windows and doors shut Police said: "We ⁠ask local residents affected by the smoke to close windows and doors ⁠and, if necessary, switch off ventilation."A number of fire brigades ⁠from different districts are on site.Today12:10 BSTFire broke out on eighth floorThe local fire department received a call at 9.53am CEST (8.53am BST) regarding a "raging fire" in the eighth floor of a 10-floor apartment block in the Linkeroever area of Antwerp, police said.‌Today12:01 BST'We barricaded ourselves into our flat and waited on the balcony,' says resident"We barricaded ourselves into our flat and waited on the balcony," Resident Geert Dewulf told Belgian public TV."The fire brigade came to rescue us from the balcony 10 minutes or so later with their ladder."Today11:55 BSTBuilding is home to around 200 peopleAn evacuation of the 10-storey apartment block is under way. Police say it is home to around 200 people.The building is located in the Linkeroever area of AntwerpToday11:53 BSTSeveral people killed in apartment block fire in AntwerpSeveral people have been killed and many hurt in a fire in an apartment block in the Belgian city of Antwerp, police said.The blaze broke out on the eighth floor of the building, where more than 200 people live, in the city’s Linkeroever neighbourhood, Antwerp police said in a statement.‌