Six killed in Brussels tower renovation fire, authorities say

Six people died Tuesday in a fire at a residential tower under renovation in central Brussels, local authorities said.

Workers became trapped in a lift as the fire spread through the lift shaft and reached several floors of the Oxy Tower, the site in the Belgian capital where more than 200 workers are employed.

A spokesperson for Brussels Mayor Philippe Close said six bodies had been found. Authorities had earlier reported that two to three people had died. They said the bodies recovered still had to be identified.

Two badly wounded victims were taken to hospital.

The cause of the fire is still unknown. Valentina Marocchi of the public prosecutor's office said labour inspectors will investigate whether the site complied with regulations.

A fire department spokesperson said the blaze started on the second floor before spreading to the first floor and to the second basement level through at least one elevator shaft. The fire was put out in the early afternoon, but civil protection units were called in as reinforcements to help free trapped victims.

Belgium's King Philippe and Prime Minister Bart De Wever visited the scene and met rescuers. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said he was horrified by the tragedy.