An explosion in Zele, East Flanders, completely destroyed a family home in the night from Wednesday to Thursday. The explosion took place in a teenager’s bedroom, but the exact cause is not yet clear. “The house is completely uninhabitable and had to be propped up,” says fire officer Thijs Dauwe.
Regional journalist at HLN
The facts took place around 2.30 am in the Langestraat. A major explosion happened in the bedroom of one of the residents. The Zele fire brigade then arrived on the scene. “The explosion moved the outer wall, even lifted the roof for a moment and shattered the windows on the first floor,” says officer Thijs Dauwe of the Zeel fire brigade. “The glass fell completely over the roadway and a parked car was also slightly damaged.”
The explosion also caused some bricks to fall onto the street. The walls inside the house were also badly hit and moved. “That is why we had to shore up to guarantee the stability of the house,” it said. “The building has also been declared uninhabitable and further investigation will have to show what should be done with the house.” Most likely that house will have to be demolished.
There were a lot of people here and I was impressed, but I had no idea what had happened and had heard nothing.
The family of four, with two children, were at home during the explosion, but fortunately were unhurt by the explosion, but were very impressed. They are now being cared for elsewhere. The adjacent homes were not damaged by the explosion and the residents were therefore able to remain there. Despite the heavy damage to the home, local residents did not hear the explosion themselves. “We were woken up by the many emergency services and the passage of vehicles,” says a neighbor. “A lot of people were present here and I was impressed, but I had no idea what had happened and had heard nothing,” he said.
It is not yet clear what caused the explosion and will have to be determined by an expert from the fire brigade. The public prosecutor’s office was also appointed for further investigation. Half of Langestraat is closed at the site of the incident.
