Police Investigating Arson Attack on Islamic Prayer Room at Manchester Airport
Categories: Latest News
Thursday September 16 2010
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Police are currently investigating whether a suspected arson attack at an Islamic prayer room at Manchester Airport on 11th September was religiously or racially motivated. From the Manchester Evening News: “Two ceremonial garments inside the room were deliberately set ablaze between 10pm and midnight, although the building itself was not damaged.” |
Officers have studied the charred textiles for clues and are reviewing CCTV footage from the scene. The area around the taxi ranks is open to the public and drivers say it would be easy for anyone to get to the area.
However, some have pointed to ongoing tensions between the drivers themselves.
One driver told said: ‘There has been racial tension in the park for many years now.’”
The cabin is used by airport staff and taxi drivers for worship. Supt. David Hall, police commander at Manchester Airport, said that “the blaze could have injured or killed people working nearby if it had spread.”
He said: “Had the fire taken hold, the damage caused would have been significantly worse.
“We are keeping an open mind about the motive and have been working closely with those who use the facility to address any concerns they have and to reassure them that we are treating this very seriously and are doing all we can to identify the person responsible.”