Berlaymont on fire
BRUSSELS - BELGIUM - 18 MAY 2009 -- The Berlaymont, EU Commission Headquarters on fire. -- PHOTO: Erik LUNTANG
The European Commission Headquarters building, the Berlaymont in Brussels, caught fire yesterday around 13:00. I was in my office far to busy with a deadline and preparing for two big interviews later in the afternoon, so I did not walk to the window looking at police-cars or whatever was on the street. We hear these emergency vehicle’s all day long passing by on the road between my office and the Berlaymont. Sometimes I look when not busy.
It was my colleague who phoned and said to hurry up and get out and take pictures. Lots of fire-engines meet me outside on our office buildings doorsteps. I managed to make some pictures and video of the smoke coming up from the top of the Berlaymont standing on the roof of the Norwegian Embassy, which are on the other side of the Berlaymont. I then had to rush back to the office where I handed over my pictures for editing and continued to the parliament for an interview and reportage with Danish MEP Karin Riis-Jørgensen.
During my assignment I got a call from the other journalist with whom I had the next assignment, this time with a interview with the President of European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, telling me that the venue for the interview had been moved to the former Commission HQ, the Breydel Building.
We went there and again there was a sudden change in the agenda. Interview had to wait because the president wanted to walk to the Berlaymont saying thank you to all the firemen and police officers for their hard work during the fire. Nice opportunity for good pictures walking with him.
The day was over for my part after editing pictures and video for the days last deadlines.
RUSSELS - BELGIUM - 18 MAY 2009 -- Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the European Commission, speaking with fire fighters after the EC HQ had been on fire. Photo: Erik Luntang
BRUSSELS - BELGIUM - 18 MAY 2009 -- Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the European Commission, and his head of cabinet Joao VALE DE ALMEIDA walking on Rue de Loi, next to with the Berlaymont HQ of the EC. Photo: Erik Luntang
BRUSSELS - BELGIUM - 18 MAY 2009 -- Jose Manuel BARROSO, President of the European Commission, during a interview at Breydel the former HQ of the EC. Photo: Erik Luntang
BRUSSELS - BELGIUM - 18 MAY 2009 -- Danish MEP Karin RIIS-JØRGENSEN in the EU Parliament. Photo: Erik Luntang