Post by RT America on Mar 20, 2016 18:07:56 GMT -5
Masjid William Salaam Mosque Catches Fire in Norfolk Virginia, Arson Supsected
Published Time: 20 Mar, 2016 7:08
In Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America, emergency services recieved reports of a fire erupting in the Masjid William Salaam mosque around 2:12 in the afternoon, shortly before the end of weekend school services. Arriving on the scene shortly after, the fire crews and police forces found a very large fire which took a significant amount of time to extinguish. Waiting outside were those able to escape the flaming coffin, who were eager to inform the firefighters of some less fortunate who were trapped inside.
Among those were two children and three parents attempting to rescue them. One child and two of the adults were able to be rescued, but the section of the building where the remaining seven year old boy and his father were said to be trapped imploded violently, resulting in the only fatalities of the incident thus far. There are four victims seriously wounded, but the local hospital has confidence in their full recocery aside from possible permanent tissue scarring.
Despite the lack of history of extreme acts of violence such as arson in the area, investigators did not take long to suspect arson as the cause of the fire. They are citing possible signs of arson such as lack of accidental causes, unusual burn patterns, and high heat stress. The target itself is also a high risk of such an attack according to first responder Ted Davis.
"Well, what we have here, is a very serious act." He was quoted saying on the scene. "You look at, we look at something like this and see two people dead, and we know we have to take all options into consideration, especially if we push this as arson. It's no secret that Muslims are targets of ill will today, and we take protecting each and evey citizen of this city very seriously. If this is an act of hate, then we guarantee the criminal will be apprehended and justice will be served."
Emergency services investigators claim they see potential signs of arson attacks in images like these captured on the scene. They cite the isolated location of the building, the purpose of the establishment, and the occupation at the time of fire as good reasons this may have been an intentional attack. They are not jumping to conclusions, according to lead investigator Lee Richards.
"Now, I don't want you guys heading back to, where ever you report to, and saying, 'There's some skinhead going round and burning down mosques in racist old Virginia, because that may not be the case. We still live in America, and the constitution assures us that we are all innocent until proven guilty. Even if this was an arson, it may not have anything to do with the mosque itself. It's an old looking building, and kids love burning down places they think are abandoned."
Updates to this story will be provided as soon as they become available.
Published Time: 20 Mar, 2016 7:08
In Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America, emergency services recieved reports of a fire erupting in the Masjid William Salaam mosque around 2:12 in the afternoon, shortly before the end of weekend school services. Arriving on the scene shortly after, the fire crews and police forces found a very large fire which took a significant amount of time to extinguish. Waiting outside were those able to escape the flaming coffin, who were eager to inform the firefighters of some less fortunate who were trapped inside.
Among those were two children and three parents attempting to rescue them. One child and two of the adults were able to be rescued, but the section of the building where the remaining seven year old boy and his father were said to be trapped imploded violently, resulting in the only fatalities of the incident thus far. There are four victims seriously wounded, but the local hospital has confidence in their full recocery aside from possible permanent tissue scarring.
Despite the lack of history of extreme acts of violence such as arson in the area, investigators did not take long to suspect arson as the cause of the fire. They are citing possible signs of arson such as lack of accidental causes, unusual burn patterns, and high heat stress. The target itself is also a high risk of such an attack according to first responder Ted Davis.
"Well, what we have here, is a very serious act." He was quoted saying on the scene. "You look at, we look at something like this and see two people dead, and we know we have to take all options into consideration, especially if we push this as arson. It's no secret that Muslims are targets of ill will today, and we take protecting each and evey citizen of this city very seriously. If this is an act of hate, then we guarantee the criminal will be apprehended and justice will be served."
Emergency services investigators claim they see potential signs of arson attacks in images like these captured on the scene. They cite the isolated location of the building, the purpose of the establishment, and the occupation at the time of fire as good reasons this may have been an intentional attack. They are not jumping to conclusions, according to lead investigator Lee Richards.
"Now, I don't want you guys heading back to, where ever you report to, and saying, 'There's some skinhead going round and burning down mosques in racist old Virginia, because that may not be the case. We still live in America, and the constitution assures us that we are all innocent until proven guilty. Even if this was an arson, it may not have anything to do with the mosque itself. It's an old looking building, and kids love burning down places they think are abandoned."
Updates to this story will be provided as soon as they become available.
