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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Police investigate mosque blaze | Police investigate mosque blaze |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| South Wales Police have confirmed that they are treating a fire which broke out at a Cardiff mosque as suspicious. | South Wales Police have confirmed that they are treating a fire which broke out at a Cardiff mosque as suspicious. |
| Fire crews and police were alerted just before 0830 GMT to the blaze at the Madina Mosque in Cathays. The fire on the second floor spread to the roof. | |
| Central Cardiff MP Jenny Willott, who was at the scene, described the fire as "really shocking". | Central Cardiff MP Jenny Willott, who was at the scene, described the fire as "really shocking". |
| Police are appealing for information about a man said to be of Middle Eastern appearance seen in the area. | Police are appealing for information about a man said to be of Middle Eastern appearance seen in the area. |
| He is described as being in his 20s and of medium build. He was wearing a dark hat and a dark coat. | He is described as being in his 20s and of medium build. He was wearing a dark hat and a dark coat. |
| Firefighters have now brought the blaze under control | Firefighters have now brought the blaze under control |
| The road with the mosque has been cordoned off and a police sniffer dog team brought in and investigators are now at the scene to determine a cause. | The road with the mosque has been cordoned off and a police sniffer dog team brought in and investigators are now at the scene to determine a cause. |
| A command room has also been set up at Cardiff Central police station. | A command room has also been set up at Cardiff Central police station. |
| Superintendent Bob Tooby said it appeared there was more than one seat of fire and that was being investigated by both police forensic scientists and the fire service. | Superintendent Bob Tooby said it appeared there was more than one seat of fire and that was being investigated by both police forensic scientists and the fire service. |
| "There's every possibility accelerants were involved but it's too early to say. All the tests need to be carried out forensically," he said. | "There's every possibility accelerants were involved but it's too early to say. All the tests need to be carried out forensically," he said. |
| A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire Service said at least a quarter of the building has been severely damaged by the fire. | A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire Service said at least a quarter of the building has been severely damaged by the fire. |
| There have been some tensions within the mosque which have been reported recently Central Cardiff MP Jenny Willott | There have been some tensions within the mosque which have been reported recently Central Cardiff MP Jenny Willott |
| Officers said it was too early to tell if the suspected arson was racially motivated. | Officers said it was too early to tell if the suspected arson was racially motivated. |
| Mosque spokesman Javed Javed said they were waiting for the police and fire brigade reports on the blaze. | Mosque spokesman Javed Javed said they were waiting for the police and fire brigade reports on the blaze. |
| He said: "As to who the culprits are, we are keeping an open mind and we cannot point fingers to any groups or person. | He said: "As to who the culprits are, we are keeping an open mind and we cannot point fingers to any groups or person. |
| "The community has been very saddened by the fire. The way it looks, it has been deliberately started and that makes it more sad." | "The community has been very saddened by the fire. The way it looks, it has been deliberately started and that makes it more sad." |
| She said: "The mosque is a big part of the local community. | She said: "The mosque is a big part of the local community. |
| 'Some tensions' | 'Some tensions' |
| Ms Willott said it was upsetting for the local community to feel they were being targeted. | Ms Willott said it was upsetting for the local community to feel they were being targeted. |
| She said: "There have been some tensions within the mosque which have been reported recently. | She said: "There have been some tensions within the mosque which have been reported recently. |
| "But nothing as serious that would ever have led us to believed this would happen." | "But nothing as serious that would ever have led us to believed this would happen." |
| South Wales Fire Service have four pumps and a hydraulic appliance at the scene and relief firefighters have also been called to help tackle the blaze. | South Wales Fire Service have four pumps and a hydraulic appliance at the scene and relief firefighters have also been called to help tackle the blaze. |
| The Welsh Ambulance Service said they were also there although no casualties were reported. | The Welsh Ambulance Service said they were also there although no casualties were reported. |
| Network Rail has been informed as smoke from the fire is affecting the line at Queen Street station in the direction of Caerphilly and Llanishen. | Network Rail has been informed as smoke from the fire is affecting the line at Queen Street station in the direction of Caerphilly and Llanishen. |