Shortly after midnight on New Year Eve there was there was an explosion on a bridge in the West Flemish town of Izegem. A flame shout into the sky and loud bang could be heard in the area. Around 7 people are known to have been in the vicinity of the explosion. Police are appealing for witnesses.
The blast was filmed and footage is currently doing the rounds on social media. Around 7 people, possibly youths are seen standing near to where the explosion took place. They seem startled by what happened and run away. Local police spokesman Carl Vyncke told VRT News that it is not clear whether the bystanders were minors. ‘We don't know, whether or not they were minors. They could also be in their late teens or be people in their twenties.”
The police and fire brigade received a report of the incident, but when they arrived at the scene, everyone had already left. It is not clear if there are any injuries. “We have not received any reports of injuries so far. But this is quite surprising given the size of the flame. Perhaps the people that were there have suffered damage to their hearing”.
Arson
The extent of the damage is not yet clear. A fire that started after the explosion was extinguished by the fire service. Mr Vyncke told VRT News that "Together with the Municipal Works Department we will have to assess the damage together. An investigation has been launched. This is arson. Were legal or illegal fireworks used and how did the fireworks get there will also be looked into."
Anyone who saw or heard anything related to the explosion is asked to contact Izegem police.