Disaster Memorial. In the afternoon of Monday, 22 May 1967, an estimated 2,000 people were shopping at the five-story department store, L'Innovation, in Brussels, Belgium, where an exhibit featuring American merchandise had been drawing crowds all month. According to eyewitness testimonies, a fire started on the first floor in a small storeroom off the children's wear department. Smoke was first seen at about 1:20 pm, but it was almost 15 minutes before calls to the fire brigade went out, by which time the building was fully involved. The fire had spread above the false ceiling, and toxic smoke spread via a monumental staircase and an atrium, which created a chimney effect; most fatalities were determined to have been caused by smoke inhalation. Shoppers panicked and many suffered trampling injuries. Several explosions were set off as the fire engulfed butane canisters in the camping department. Many climbed to the roof seeking an escape route; and at least three died in jumps from the building. In all, approximately 323 were dead with 150 injured by the time the fire was extinguished some eight hour later. The department store's fire alarm was activated too late and was barely audible, nor did the store possess an automatic fire sprinkler system. More than 150 firefighters had mobilized, and although hampered by narrow streets, managed evacuation and fire suppression measures. The causes of the disastrous fire have never been confirmed, but the most likely cause was the failure of an electrical installation in the false ceiling on the first floor. The Innovation fire remains the deadliest in Belgian history.
Disaster Memorial. In the afternoon of Monday, 22 May 1967, an estimated 2,000 people were shopping at the five-story department store, L'Innovation, in Brussels, Belgium, where an exhibit featuring American merchandise had been drawing crowds all month. According to eyewitness testimonies, a fire started on the first floor in a small storeroom off the children's wear department. Smoke was first seen at about 1:20 pm, but it was almost 15 minutes before calls to the fire brigade went out, by which time the building was fully involved. The fire had spread above the false ceiling, and toxic smoke spread via a monumental staircase and an atrium, which created a chimney effect; most fatalities were determined to have been caused by smoke inhalation. Shoppers panicked and many suffered trampling injuries. Several explosions were set off as the fire engulfed butane canisters in the camping department. Many climbed to the roof seeking an escape route; and at least three died in jumps from the building. In all, approximately 323 were dead with 150 injured by the time the fire was extinguished some eight hour later. The department store's fire alarm was activated too late and was barely audible, nor did the store possess an automatic fire sprinkler system. More than 150 firefighters had mobilized, and although hampered by narrow streets, managed evacuation and fire suppression measures. The causes of the disastrous fire have never been confirmed, but the most likely cause was the failure of an electrical installation in the false ceiling on the first floor. The Innovation fire remains the deadliest in Belgian history.
Bio by: Iola
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