Terrorist attack ruled out in fire at Anderlecht synagogue

Police have ruled out in principle a terrorist attack on a synagogue in Anderlecht, after a fire broke out there early on Tuesday morning. The perpetrator(s) of the crime have not yet been identified and the reason behind the fire remains unexplained.

A call to put out the fire, which broke out on Tuesday morning in a synagogue on Rue de la Clinique, Anderlecht, was received at 5.30 am. The fire started on the second floor of the building. Three people, a woman and two children, all members of the warden of the synagogue’s family, were found at the scene and were treated for smoke intoxication.

Initial police investigations revealed that four separate fires had been lit on the premises, pointing to a probable case of arson.  If caught, the culprits could face a 15 to 20-year sentence.