Home in Anderlecht Targeted by Molotov Cocktail Attack

A residence on Rue des Mégissiers in Anderlecht, Brussels, was targeted by a Molotov cocktail attack in the early hours of Friday morning, according to RTBF. Emergency services were called to the scene in the early hours of the morning, but the fire had already been extinguished by the residents themselves before authorities arrived.

No injuries were reported, and the building was declared habitable following inspection and ventilation by firefighters. Police have opened an investigation, stating that certain elements suggest the attack was a criminal act.

Details of the Incident

The Brussels-Midi police zone, which covers Anderlecht, Saint-Gilles, and Forest, confirmed that officers responded to reports of a fire at the entrance of a home on Rue des Mégissiers. According to a police statement reported by The Brussels Times, “Upon the arrival of the police, the initial fire had already been extinguished by the residents.”

The statement added: “After ventilation of the building and an inspection by the firefighters, the building was declared habitable. It is only a matter of material damage and no one was injured.”

Police confirmed that “certain elements suggest that this would be a criminal act,” as reported by La DH/Les Sports+. An investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances and motive behind the attack.

Context and Broader Concerns

The incident is the second Molotov cocktail attack on a residence in Brussels within the same week. On June 3, a similar attack targeted a home at Square du Centenaire in Ganshoren, another Brussels municipality. According to reports from Sudinfo, that attack left residents in shock and raised questions about insecurity in the area.

While no official connection has been established by police, the similarity in method and close temporal proximity have drawn attention to a possible pattern. Both attacks involved Molotov cocktails thrown at residential front doors in the early morning hours.

Anderlecht, the fourth most populous municipality in the Brussels-Capital Region, has experienced periodic incidents of violent crime. The Rue des Mégissiers is located in the Cureghem neighborhood, an area that has historically faced socio-economic challenges. In February 2026, two shootings occurred within an hour in Anderlecht, raising further concerns about armed violence in the commune.

Investigation Underway

The motive for the attack remains unknown, and no suspects have been named or arrested as of the time of reporting. The investigation is being led by the Brussels-Midi police zone, with authorities examining whether the residence was specifically targeted or if the attack was random.

The story was first reported by the Belga news agency and was subsequently picked up by multiple Belgian outlets, including RTBF, La DH/Les Sports+, La Libre Belgique, Le Soir, and The Brussels Times. All outlets relied on the same official police statement, with no independent reporting providing additional details beyond the initial communication.

What to Watch For

As the investigation progresses, key questions remain unanswered: What was the motive behind the attack? Is there any connection to the Ganshoren incident earlier in the week? Were the residents specifically targeted? Authorities have not yet provided updates on potential suspects or arrests.

The incident adds to growing concerns about public safety in certain Brussels neighborhoods, though police have not indicated any broader threat to the community at this stage.