The blaze affected the ground floor, part of the first floor and a section of the roof in the admin offices block, sending huge pillars of black smoke into the sky which were visible for several miles,
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| Photo September 27th: Baitul Futuh Mosque is completely unaffected by the fire |
Source/Credit: Various / Ahmadiyya Times
By Staff Report | September 27, 2015
Two boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson after an administration block at the London's Baitul Futuh mosque went up in flames in Morden, the UK's The Daily Mirror has reported.
Two boys, aged 16 and 14, remain in custody at south London police station, Scotland Yard police headquarters said, according to an AFP report.
The blaze at the largest mosque in western Europe was tackled by 70 firefighters and one person was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.
The administration building was badly damaged but not the mosque, London Fire Brigade said.
The blaze affected the ground floor, part of the first floor and a section of the roof in the admin offices block, sending huge pillars of black smoke into the sky which were visible for several miles, it was reported.
Rafiq Hayat, national president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK, said the fire was contained to the hall at the front of the building and some adjacent offices. "By the Grace of God the mosque is safe and unaffected and there were no injuries and no loss of life."
"We are extremely grateful for the support of the local community and leaders," Hayat added.
Dr. Basharat Nazir, national spokesperson of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK, thanked local emergency agencies including London Fire Brigade, and the community's well-wishers in social media.
"Thank you ... I would suggest our well wishers join us in thanking @LondonFire for their sterling job" Dr. Nazir tweeted from his personal account.
Farooq Aftab of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, who was part of the team that oversaw the construction of mosque, said the location was safely evacuated.
Many Ahmadis worldwide indicated shock at the possibility of an arson attack as cause of fire.
"A mosque official has told us the community is 'shocked' at the news it could be arson," James Longman of BBC News reported in a Twitter post.
Meanwhile, Jubilation was rampant among many anti-Ahmadi and anti-Muslim circles celebrating the fire at the Baitul Futuh Mosque and applauding the two boys accused of arson for doing it.
"I hope they never read the snide and appalling comments that have accompanied the news about this," wrote Guy Lambert, who goes by Twitter handle @SohoGuy.
"Well people celebrating should take a look at the Ahmadiyya motto here on the side of the mosque," James Longman of BBC News responded to @SohoGuy, highlighting the iconic "Love For All Hatred For None" sign at the Baitul Futuh Mosque.
Well people celebrating should take a look at the Ahmadiyya motto here on the side of the mosque @SohoGuy @BBCNews pic.twitter.com/b6J5XURqwc
— James Longman (@JamesAALongman) September 27, 2015
Read original post here: UK: Morden's Baitul Futuh Mosque survives fire, 2 teenagers arrested on arson suspicion
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