Arson confirmed as cause of California mosque fire
COACHELLA, Calif. (AP) — Authorities in Southern California say a fire at a mosque was intentionally set.
COACHELLA, Calif. (AP) — Authorities in Southern California say a fire at a mosque was intentionally set.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement late Friday night that the blaze at the Islamic Center of Palm Springs was “an intentional act” and said it would use all available resources to investigate.
The statement says that state fire investigators and the federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are now assisting in the investigation, and urged anyone with information to come forward. No details were provided on how the fire was set or whether the department has any suspects.
County fire officials said flames were reported just after noon Friday at the mosque. The fire was contained to the small building’s front lobby, and no one was injured.
Reymundo Nour, the mosque’s acting imam, said people there described hearing a “loud boom” and seeing flames. He said the mosque had been fire-bombed.
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