At least six people were killed and several others injured on Wednesday in a fire at a residential building in Antwerp, Belgium, authorities reported. The fire broke out on the ground floor of a 10-story apartment block in the Linkeroever district, home to more than 200 residents across 80 units.

Local police said the blaze originated from a technical malfunction on the building’s ground level, rapidly spreading and producing heavy smoke that rose visibly above the area. The upper floors of the building sustained the most damage, according to officials.

Emergency responders quickly evacuated the building, relocating residents to a nearby shelter as a precaution. Authorities advised neighbors in the vicinity to keep windows and doors shut and, if necessary, to turn off ventilation systems to minimize smoke inhalation risks.

Firefighters faced challenging conditions while combating the fire, with multiple firefighting teams and police units deployed to the scene. A specialized drone unit was also brought in to assist with the operation.

Investigations into the precise cause and circumstances of the fire remain ongoing, with officials working to determine further details.