EC building evacuated over fire

A FIRE sent dark smoke billowing from the executive floor of the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of workers and visitors.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but police said it did not appear to be criminal in origin. There were no reports of any injuries.

The smoke was seen rising shortly after 1pm local time from the floor where the European Commissioners have their offices.

There was no panic as EU workers filed outside and stood watching the developments.

Almost a dozen fire trucks quickly moved into the commission compound.

European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso’s spokesman, Johannes Laitenberger said firefighters had checked every floor of the iconic star-shaped building, widely seen as the centre of EU power.

On any given day, 2,000 bureaucrats, journalists and visitors are in the building.