Bid to destroy files in Belgium crime lab

Attackers rammed a car through the gates of Belgium’s crime institute and set fire to a lab containing crime scene samples in an effort to destroy evidence.

Residents heard at least one explosion as the blaze erupted in a north Brussels suburb and Belgian media reported a bomb attack, but investigators said the noise was probably materials going up in flames.

Prosecutors said five people were detained for questioning and released without charge following the incident at about 2am yesterday in Neder-Over-Heembeek. Nobody was injured.