LONDON: UK police have arrested two teenage boys in connection with a suspected racially aggravated arson at a mosque in Essex, the BBC reported.
Emergency services were called to Northbrooks Mosque in Harlow on Tuesday evening.
Essex Police reported no injuries and firefighters contained the damage.
Meanwhile, the teenagers remain in custody and are being questioned.
“We are absolutely devastated and shocked,” Jamal Uddin, Northbrooks Mosque secretary, told BBC.
Uddin said the fire damaged carpets and curtains in the prayer space.
“We have been here for a long, long time and we have never had anything like this happen to us before,” he added.
Up to 700 people regularly attend the mosque throughout the week, with around 300 attending Friday prayers.
Uddin lauded the emergency services for their “absolutely excellent” response.
Conservative Harlow Council leader Dan Swords told the BBC: “I am shocked and appalled to hear about this incident.
“Whatever the motives are for this, we will not tolerate any attacks on our communities and as a town we stand united.”
Chief Inspector Paul Austin has assured that there will be an officer presence in the area, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
