The blaze started last week in a group of buildings above chains H&M, Forever 21 and Hema. The fire is believed to have started as a result of works being carried out in the upper floors, an area of some 10,000 square metres being converted into apartments.

The fire started on Tuesday evening and sent a pall of smoke over the centre of the city. Buildings were evacuated, and shops in the area remained closed for a time on Wednesday. While H&M reported there was no damage to stock, Hema has remained closed because of a fear of structural damage.

Several offices of Flemish ministers are in the immediate vicinity of the blaze site, but those buildings were reported not to have suffered any damage. No-one was injured in the fire, though two firefighters at the scene were slightly hurt.