Report: Fire at Houston Islamic School was Set Intentionally
According to an assistant imam, investigators have found signs that a fire at an Islamic center on Friday was set deliberately, the Houston Chronicle reports.
"I hope it's not a hate crime," Ahsan Zahid told the Chronicle. "Preliminary results say it's arson."
The Houston Fire Department has yet to make an official statement on the investigation, but KTRK-TV reports that nearby Islamic leaders have also been told the fire was arson. From KTRK-TV:
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but we've learned HFD says the accelerant was used, which usually points to a purposeful act. Those same investigators met with leaders at another Islamic center just miles away, letting them know that this was an act of arson and to be on alert.
On Saturday, an FBI spokesperson told Reuters that they are monitoring the situation and are "not going to jump to any conclusions." Should the fire qualify as a potentional hate crime, the agent said the bureau would become more involved.
