Two apartments uninhabitable after fire in Dilsen, washing machine may have been the cause (Dilsen-Stokkem)

‘t Getske is a dead-end side street of the Europalaan, located opposite the ‘White Chapel’ in the center of Dilsen. It is a fairly new residential area with terraced houses and apartments. “Just before 3 p.m. we saw a plume of smoke coming from an apartment,” says a neighbor across the street. “When I walked outside I noticed that several neighbors had noticed the plume of smoke. We have informed the emergency services.”

The East Limburg Fire Department responded with five fire trucks from Maasmechelen. “We arrived quickly on site and immediately deployed an aerial work platform,” says Dimitry Opdenacker of the Maasmechelen corps. “This way we were able to combat the fire from above and from the ground floor. The residents were not at home. In the house we noticed that the fire had originated in the kitchen or a storage room. These two rooms are very badly damaged. Due to the strong smoke development, all other rooms in the building, up to the top floor, are also blackened. The damage is extensive. The heat even shattered the windows at the back of the apartment.”

The fire brigade was able to throw out materials that had caught fire from a balcony on the first floor. A destroyed washing machine was also brought outside via the stairs of the first floor. The residents were not at home and did not arrive until later. They were taken care of by family. “How can my washing machine catch fire,” said a deeply affected resident. “My washing machine is barely a month old.”

Due to firefighting efforts, the apartment below the affected apartment also suffered from water damage. Mayor Sofie Vandeweerd (Open VLD) arrived on the scene to encourage the affected families. “The damage in the two apartments is extensive,” said Sofie Vandeweerd. “In the apartment that was affected by fire, virtually all household belongings were lost. The city council wants to think along and find out where the two affected families can go for the time being. In addition to the residents of the apartment affected by fire, the resident of the apartment below cannot stay in her apartment. There is so much water damage that this apartment is also temporarily uninhabitable. After consultation, the two affected families can temporarily stay with relatives.”