A fire broke out in a café in the entertainment district in Ostend on Sunday afternoon.
The heavy fire was reported at The Truth café in Langestraat. The premises were completely destroyed, with the fire occurring in broad daylight.
"There are strong suspicions of arson," mayor Bart Tommelein (Open VLD) told Belga. "The café was recently taken over."
There are many cameras in the entertainment district, so the police were immediately able to form a fairly clear picture.
According to the Flemish newspaper HLN, images show a disguised man in the cafe for several minutes before he eventually sets the place on fire.
The café does not enjoy a good reputation with the police. Last year it was closed for a month by the mayor's order after repeated nuisance.
