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3rd LD Writethru: Belgium's crime lab hit by arson attack, no casualties reported

Xinhua, August 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Institute of Forensic and Criminology (NICC) of Belgium, based in Brussels, was hit by an arson early Monday morning, with no casualties reported.

The fire severely damaged the laboratories in the NICC, where important information concerning several ongoing investigations and legal cases were stored and analyzed.

"We are clearly talking about a criminal act," said Brussels prosecutor's office spokeswoman Ine van wymersch. "This location was not chosen randomly."

Van wymersch said it is without doubt that several people would benefit if elements from their legal cases were destroyed.

Several perpetrators forced their way into the NICC premises at around 2:00 a.m. local time with a car to reach the building wing where the laboratories were situated.

Five people were arrested for questioning, but were all released later on.

As for the explosion heard by several people nearby, Van wymersch said its cause remain unknown. Endit