On Monday evening a fire completely destroyed a therapeutic and educational farm in the Flemish town of Roosdaal.
Local fire services have confirmed that a fire broke out on the De Hoeve farm of the MPC Sint-Fransiscus, an institution for minors and adults with mental disabilities.
As no one was present in the building at the time of the fire, there were no reported casualties.
The inhabitants of a neighbouring building were also evacuated and farm employees even managed to evacuate all the animals from the stables.
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However the main building of the children's farm was significantly damaged by the flames.
The fire was under control by 22:45 but it took the fire services all night to put it out, with straw and hay having to be removed to prevent further spread.
West Flanders' Public Prosecutor's Office has since confirmed that a 17 year-old male, who was residing in the farm's institution, had been arrested on suspicion of arson.
He will appear in juvenile court on Wednesday.
