An explosion “of criminal origin” at Belgium’s national criminology institute in Brussels early Monday caused a fire and major damage but no casualties, officials said.
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Shortly before 02:30 local time (00:30 GMT), a vehicle rammed through three fences, leading to an explosion and a large fire, RTL Belgium reported.
Police have deployed in force and sealed off the area.
About 30 firefighters assisted in putting out the blaze, which caused “significant damage” to the building, local media reported.
The institute is linked to Belgium’s federal justice body.
Belgium has been on high alert since the March 22 terror attack on the Brussels Airport.
According to various media, a ramming vehicle entered the site and one or more individuals planted a bomb there.
Belgian police have arrested five suspects after a blast on Monday.
Ms Van Wymersch said the likely aim of the fire – believed to have been started deliberately – was to destroy “several files” inside.
The spokesman added that the perpetrators set fire to a laboratory used to analyze DNA samples collected at crime scenes.
Belgian broadcaster RTL said that a auto rammed through barriers at the centre early on Monday.
Bilal Hadfi, who blew himself up outside the Stade de France during last November’s Paris attacks, lived in Neder-Over-Heembeek.
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The metro bomber was Khalid El Bakraoui, Ibrahim’s brother.
