Arson attack targets family home in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek

Sarhan Basem

Credit: SALLY VETTERS/Wikipedia

Sint-Jans-Molenbeek (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A family home in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, Brussels, was deliberately set on fire on Friday morning, according to local authorities.

Before emergency personnel could arrive, neighbors were able to remove the mother and her four children from the house and put out the fire. La Capitale reported this, and the occurrence was confirmed by the Brussels fire department.  

Around 5:45 a.m., footage shows a man in a cap and hoodie trying four times to set fire to the door of the house on Edmond Candrieslaan, most likely with a Molotov cocktail. 

The fourth effort also started a fire, and the criminal ran away, but not before using his smartphone to record the flames.

A few minutes later, a passing biker and a number of neighbors hurried to help the residents and put out the fire. 

After the fire was put out, the family’s oldest son was escorted out through the garden, and the mother and three of her children were assisted by a ladder through a first-floor window. 

“We were alerted around 5:52 a.m. and dispatched two fire engines, two ladder trucks, a command vehicle, a first responder team, and an ambulance to the scene,”

said fire department spokesperson Walter Derieuw.

“We treated one person on site for smoke inhalation.”

The house sustained significant damage and is said to be uninhabitable, at least temporarily.

Which street and exact address was affected in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek?

Although the sources consulted did not provide specific details about the actual street address of the family home that was purposely set on fire in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, the fire took place in a municipality of Brussels with multiple urban neighborhoods.

Sint-Jans-Molenbeek comprises several neighborhoods, including the historic core, but also the Duchesse, Karreveld, and Osseghem neighborhoods. The news did not specify the actual street address of the fire.

Even though the fire happened in the municipality of Sint-Jans-Molenbeek there was no current news identifying the specific street with the exact street address of the family home that was the victim of the fire.

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Sarhan Basem is Brussels Morning's Senior Correspondent to the European Parliament. With a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, Sarhan brings a unique blend of linguistic finesse and analytical prowess to his reporting. Specializing in foreign affairs, human rights, civil liberties, and security issues, he delves deep into the intricacies of global politics to provide insightful commentary and in-depth coverage. Beyond the world of journalism, Sarhan is an avid traveler, exploring new cultures and cuisines, and enjoys unwinding with a good book or indulging in outdoor adventures whenever possible.
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