1st LD Writethru: Firefighter killed, three seriously injured in Brussels gas explosions


BRUSSELS, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- A firefighter was killed, and three other people were seriously injured in two gas explosions near Brussels Central Station on Friday, Belgian media reported.

The firefighter had been reported missing after the explosions and was later pulled from the rubble. Emergency services attempted to resuscitate him, but he died at the scene, according to HLN, a local Dutch-language news outlet.

Valentina Marocchi, spokesperson for the Brussels labour prosecutor's office, said two employees of Brussels energy distribution network operator Sibelga and another firefighter were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The explosions occurred earlier Friday inside an office building after a gas pipe was accidentally damaged during construction work, according to local media. The building had already been evacuated before the blasts.

Belgian Minister of Security and the Interior Bernard Quintin said civil protection teams were assessing the structural stability of the building. Local authorities said the gas supply had been shut off and checks were underway to ensure there were no remaining leaks.

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