Elham Asaad Buaras
Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mosque in Blackburn after a suspicious fire caused damage to the building late on June 13.
Emergency services were called to Masjid-e-Quwwatul Islam on Stansfeld Street at around 11.30pm following reports of a fire at the rear of the premises. The blaze was brought under control before it could spread further, and no injuries were reported.
In a statement, the mosque described the incident as a “suspected arson attack” and confirmed that part of the building had been damaged. Mosque representatives thanked members of the public for their support and urged anyone with information to assist police with their enquiries. Worshippers were also encouraged to remain calm while investigations continue.
Images shared on social media showed visible fire damage to the rear of the mosque. The incident has caused concern among local residents and community leaders, particularly amid growing fears over attacks targeting Muslim places of worship.
Lancashire Police have confirmed that the fire is being treated as suspicious and that an investigation is underway. Officers are appealing for witnesses and have asked anyone with CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage from the area to come forward.
While investigators have not publicly confirmed a motive, members of the local Muslim community fear the attack may have been driven by anti-Muslim hostility, given that the building is an active place of worship.
The incident comes at a time of heightened concern over the safety of Muslim institutions across Britain. Only weeks earlier, another Muslim prayer facility in Blackburn was targeted when masked individuals allegedly threw incendiary devices into a prayer room attached to a local café. That attack caused significant damage and prompted widespread condemnation from faith leaders and community organisations.
At the time, Lancashire Police said enquiries were ongoing and that the motivation behind the attack had not been fully established. Officers also carried out reassurance patrols in the area following the incident.
The latest fire has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of mosques and Islamic centres. In recent years, several places of worship across the UK have been targeted in suspected arson attacks, including incidents in Manchester, Essex and Northern Ireland, some of which were investigated as hate crimes or acts of religious hostility.
Earlier in the week, the home of an Islamic teacher was reportedly firebombed in Bolton, while a suspicious device was also discovered outside a mosque in the same area, further raising concerns within Muslim communities.
Community representatives in Blackburn have called for increased protection for places of worship and a thorough investigation into the latest incident. As police enquiries continue, many are hoping those responsible will be identified swiftly and brought before the courts.
