SEVERAL people have died after a fire tore through a construction site in central Brussels, with six people still unaccounted for.

Emergency crews discovered multiple bodies inside one of two lift shafts at the major renovation project on Place de Brouckère, where the blaze broke out early on Tuesday.

Members of the police gather, following a fire at Oxy Brussels building in Brussels, Belgium

Several people have died after a fire tore through a construction site

Officials have not confirmed how many bodies were found and said it remains unclear whether they are those of the missing six.

More than 200 people were working at the OXY building site when the fire erupted, according to the Brussels fire brigade.

Two people have been taken to hospital with severe burns while rescue teams continue searching the site for the missing people.

Several others have been evacuated from the building and looked after in Brucity’s staff canteen at the request of the Mayor of Brussels.

A firefighter suffering from heatstroke had to be treated at the scene.

Those who have not been found could be stuck in another lift which the fire brigade has not been able to access, according to the Public Prosecutor’s office.

Work place inspectors reported around midday that a criminal investigation had been launched.

The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, and authorities have launched an investigation.

Brecht Speybrouck, spokesperson for the Brussels workplace inspectors, said Tuesday afternoon: “These are workers whom we know were working, but with whom we have been unable to make contact.

Experts and members of the Police Crime Scene Investigation walk into the Oxy Brussels building

Six people remain missing on site

“Two lifts are stuck in two lift shafts. The fire brigade has now managed to make a small opening in one of those lifts, and we have found several victims inside.

“It is not yet clear exactly how many people.

It may be all six of the missing persons, but there may also be people in the other lift, or elsewhere.”

Walter Derieuw, a firefighter at the scene told local media: “The fire on the first and second floors was quickly brought under control.

“However, flames spread into the lift shaft, causing the fire to spread to level -2.

“This led to a fierce blaze that was brought under control at around 9 o’clock.”

The cause of the fire remains unclear.

The OXY building houses apartments, restaurants and a rooftop bar.

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Source: https://www.the-sun.com/news/16688811/brussels-fire-bodies-found-lift-construction-site/