Berlaymont Fire
- May 27th, 2009
- Posted by EUEditor
Fire at the Berlaymont building in Brussels (18.5.09) gave pause for thought for many; the massive edifice with accommodation for 2000 staff plays a key role in the day-by-day life of the European Union.
Built for the then European Economic Community by the Belgian state in the mid-1960s, the signature building houses the EC President and Commissioners – and the media centre, close enough to where the fire started, in a basement area, in the late morning.
It was contained, but damaged ventilation and lighting took some days to restore.
The Berlaymont was closed between 1991 and 2004 for major renovations after asbestos was found in its construction.