Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A 65-year-old man was arrested after an attempted arson at Antwerp City Hall on Wednesday, Nov 12, 2025. Police caught him nearby with 2 gasoline jerry cans, leading the judge to order his arrest.
As VRT News reported, a 65-year-old man has been arrested after an attempted arson at Antwerp’s historic City Hall on Wednesday, Nov 12, 2025. The investigation moved forward on Friday evening, Nov 14, 2025, when officers from the West neighbourhood police team came across a man who matched the description of the suspect. He was riding a bicycle close to City Hall. When police checked his bags, they found 2 jerry cans filled with gasoline.
Why was a 65-year-old man arrested after an attempted arson at Antwerp City Hall?
The man was presented to the investigating judge, who decided to place him under arrest because of the seriousness of the case and the risk of another attempt. Police are now trying to find out why he targeted the building and whether the gasoline he carried is linked to the traces found on Wednesday.
Staff arriving on Wednesday morning, Nov 12, 2025, found signs that someone had tried to start a fire near the main entrance. They noticed pieces of burned paper, traces of a flammable substance, and even a faint smell of smoke inside the building.
Antwerp City Hall is a major landmark that dates back to 1561–1565, when it was built on the Grote Markt as a centrepiece of the city’s government. The building survived a destructive fire during the Spanish Fury in 1576 and was rebuilt soon after.
Over the years, it has gone through several restorations to protect its historic character, including an extensive renovation carried out from 2018 to 2022. The site is part of the UNESCO-recognised Belfries of Belgium and France.
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