An early-morning fire tore through the front of the Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center, and investigators say it was no accident. Philadelphia police have opened an arson investigation after firefighters knocked down the blaze on the 1400 block of Tyson Avenue. No one was inside at the time and there were no injuries.
What Officials Say
Police and firefighters were called to the mosque around 2 a.m. Sunday, where they found a fire burning in the building’s enclosed front porch. Crews quickly brought the flames under control. Afterward, Philadelphia fire marshals determined the blaze had been intentionally set, and the case was handed to Northeast detectives. No arrests have been reported, according to CBS Philadelphia.
Where It Happened
The mosque is located on the 1400 block of Tyson Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia. City zoning records list the permit holder at 1421 Tyson Ave as the Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center, a detail that appears in the zoning permit for the property, according to Philadelphia Zoning Records.
Community Response And Damage
The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American–Islamic Relations has put up a $2,500 reward for information that leads to an arrest and is urging state and federal authorities to take a hard look at the case. An online fundraising page cited in local reports says the mosque, which it notes was founded in 2004, had been collecting donations to build a larger space and that the fire caused significant damage, according to CBS Philadelphia.
What Investigators Are Doing Next
Northeast detectives continue to examine the scene and review evidence, and police are asking anyone with information to come forward. Officials have not released any details on a possible motive or an estimated damage total while the investigation remains active.
