The Brussels Newsbrief
Monday, 27 July 2026
☀️ Sunny in Brussels today — between 14°C and 26°C (now 17°C).
Schaerbeek apartment fire kills two and injures eight
Two people were killed and eight others injured in a major fire in a residential building on Chaussée de Haecht in Schaerbeek. The blaze affected a Brussels housing area and left multiple victims in one of the capital’s densest communes.
Brussels government reaches agreement with firefighters’ unions
The Brussels government and the common trade union front for Brussels firefighters have reached an agreement, ending the immediate dispute behind strike action. The deal concerns one of the capital’s core emergency services.
Second shooting in 48 hours hits Avenue de Roovere
A second shooting in 48 hours took place on Avenue de Roovere on Saturday evening. A witness described seeing an injured man holding his arm, underlining renewed safety concerns around the street.
Brussels blood donations down by a third since school holidays began
Blood donations in Brussels have fallen by about one third since the start of the summer holidays. Rode Kruis-Vlaanderen is calling on donors to give blood in the coming days as the holiday period weighs on supplies.
Foire du Midi exposes weak pedestrian and cycling links in the area
The Foire du Midi is drawing attention to shortcomings in the neighbourhood’s public-space layout. The current arrangements are described as uncomfortable for both pedestrians and cyclists, pointing to mobility problems around one of Brussels’ major summer fair sites.
Renting in Brussels: leases, deposits and local rules explained
A Brussels renting guide lays out key points for tenants on leases, deposits and local rules. The topic is directly relevant for residents navigating the capital’s housing market and its specific rental obligations.