Tourists survive Belgian hostel fire
Fire rages in a Belgian youth hostel.
Firefighters battled the flames in central Brussels, pouring water in through the roof and stopping the blaze from spreading to a nearby hospital.
50 guests were evacuated including American student Ryan McDocwell.
He says he didn't hear any signal to evacuate.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MINNESOTA UNIVERSITY STUDENT RYAN MCDOWELL SAYING:
"Got up at about 8.30. I got up took a shower. There was no hot water. I was just kind of like 'Oh', no big deal. Nothing really set off an alarm in me and then one of my room mates walked outside and our floor was like flooding. We were like whoah what's going on?"
The origin of the blaze was still unknown, but the hostel is temporarily closed and city authorities were looking for other accommodation for the guests.
Lily Grimes, Reuters.
Firefighters battled the flames in central Brussels, pouring water in through the roof and stopping the blaze from spreading to a nearby hospital.
50 guests were evacuated including American student Ryan McDocwell.
He says he didn't hear any signal to evacuate.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MINNESOTA UNIVERSITY STUDENT RYAN MCDOWELL SAYING:
"Got up at about 8.30. I got up took a shower. There was no hot water. I was just kind of like 'Oh', no big deal. Nothing really set off an alarm in me and then one of my room mates walked outside and our floor was like flooding. We were like whoah what's going on?"
The origin of the blaze was still unknown, but the hostel is temporarily closed and city authorities were looking for other accommodation for the guests.
Lily Grimes, Reuters.