Unknowns empty a jerry can of gasoline against the restaurant facade and set it on fire: police start investigation (Sint-Gilles)

A Cameroonian restaurant burned down in a fire last night in Argonnestraat in Sint-Gillis. A witness saw how strangers emptied a jerry can of gasoline and set everything on fire. The facts happened at 5 o’clock on Tuesday morning.

Two strangers arrived on a scooter and had a jerry can of gasoline with them. They emptied the contents and set fire to the restaurant, known for its Cameroonian specialities. A little further on they doused another Volkswagen Polo with the rest from the can and lit it too. Both the restaurant and the car burned down completely.

The fire brigade arrived on the scene. Fortunately, no one was apparently present in the restaurant at the time of the incident and therefore no injuries were reported. The car is not owned by the restaurant owner, but belongs to someone who stayed fifty meters away.

The residents of the apartments above the restaurant were able to get to safety in time and were allowed to return to their homes after ventilation and CO control. The restaurant’s utility connections were disconnected. The Brussels-South police zone set up a safety perimeter during the fire-fighting works and also managed the evacuation of residents.

It is unclear why the restaurant was targeted. The police do not rule out that this is a settlement in the drug environment, but according to what is said in the neighborhood, the family is said to have nothing to do with the drug world. Earlier that night, an unknown person – possibly the same as one of the two arsonists – had fired a bullet at the restaurant. The perpetrators of the shooting and arson are missing. The public prosecutor’s office has started an investigation. (cds/dbg/cvh)