State funeral honours Brussels firefighter killed in gas explosion

**State Funeral Held for Brussels Firefighter Killed in Gas Explosion**

*Brussels, Belgium – August 26, 2024* – Sergeant-Major Olivier Francotte, a firefighter with the Brussels fire service, was honored with a state funeral on Monday at the Basilica of Koekelberg in the Belgian capital. Francotte died on 14 August 2024 after a gas explosion at the European Single Resolution Board (SRB) building on Treurenberg Street.

The ceremony was attended by a representative of the Royal Palace, numerous colleagues from various emergency‑service zones, officials from European institutions, and delegations from the Netherlands and France. King Philippe of Belgium expressed “his deepest respect” for the fallen firefighter. A fellow firefighter who was injured in the same incident also attended and delivered a personal tribute.

Fire service spokesperson Walter Derieuw said, “The large number of people in attendance and the many expressions of sympathy show just how much he meant, both within and outside our service.” He added that the turnout “demonstrated the strong sense of unity and solidarity within the fire service family and amongst its partners, across borders.”

In recognition of his service, Francotte was posthumously promoted to the rank of adjutant and awarded the Civil Cross, First Class. The funeral procession began at the fire station on Avenue de l’Héliport, with bagpipers accompanying the march to the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg. Francotte’s coffin was carried on a fire engine, followed by approximately a dozen vehicles, his family, and fellow firefighters. After the state service, a private burial was held.

The explosion that claimed Francotte’s life also seriously injured another firefighter and two employees of the Belgian gas distributor Sibelga. According to authorities, the incident occurred while firefighters and Sibelga staff were responding to a gas leak caused by a contractor accidentally damaging a low‑pressure pipe.

The state funeral underscores the high regard for emergency‑service personnel in Belgium and highlights the cross‑border cooperation among European emergency responders.

Article source: leuropeennedebruxelles.com | Image credit: The Bulletin