Serious fire damage to Brussels concert hall and organ

The effects of yesterday’s fire at the Beaux Arts (Bozar) concert hall are now being assessed and the damage is extensive.

The hall director Paul Dujardin was on the radio this morning saying that the steel and glass roof is unstable and could cave in after last night’s heavy rain.

The composer Bernard Foccroulle, former director of the Théâtre royal de la Monnaie, writes: ‘According to my information, the ceilings of some exhibition halls have collapsed, the great hall could be closed for months, or even years. The organ (where I was to record a CD in three weeks) is out of order.’

He is furious that Belgian national media barely reported the disaster. ‘What does it take today for cultural life to be at the heart of media, political and civic attention?’

Two firefighters were injured in the blaze.