Armed police, snipers and a helicopter have been deployed in a large scale operation to block off a building in the Brussels commune of Fora where one or more gunmen are allegedly inside, according to local media. Authorities report that at least two men are holed up in the apartment.

Deux hommes armés retranchés dans un appartement d'après les autorités. #forest #Bruxelles #Brussel #Vorst pic.twitter.com/xnsL7ziOc1

— pierrebxl (@pierrebxl) February 22, 2018

"A special operation is being carried out. There may be one or more armed people in the house," a commune representative told the press.

The incident is taking place near a primary school in the municipality of Forest, on Rue Jean-Baptiste Vanpe. The school is attended by approximately 350 student, and the children have been taken inside as a safety precaution. The mayor of Forest, Marc-Jean Ghyssels, has also confirmed the police operation, citing "suspicion of the presence of an armed man," RTBF reported.

Massive police operation ongoing in the #Forest area of #Brussels amid suspected presence of armed man/men in a building; area on lockdown https://t.co/iSrutfQSHT pic.twitter.com/LUonXuxvsh

— Benjamin Alvarez (@BenjAlvarez1) February 22, 2018

A security perimeter has been established, with a witness telling RTL Info that police have ordered residents of the neighborhood to stay inside their homes.

Gros déploiement de policiers à Forest: "Les habitants sommés de rester chez eux. Le quartier est bouclé" https://t.co/GcSBJKFWRH

— RTL info (@rtlinfo) February 22, 2018

Witnesses told RTBF that armed police and snipers are at the scene. Police helicopters are also flying above the area.

Heavily armed police ‘snipers’ on top of the roofs in response to multiple gunmen inside a building in Brussels. pic.twitter.com/EqFQFRX6r1

— BNL NEWS (@BreakingNLive) February 22, 2018