Police say two arrested after fire at Grimsby Islamic centre, while mosque chairman reports being attacked by petrol bombs
A mosque chairman has described how he was inside an Islamic cultural centre with a young family when it was hit by a suspected arson attack.
The Grimsby Islamic Cultural Centre was allegedly targeted by petrol bombs on Sunday night, despite an increased police presence in the area following another attack on the complex three days ago.
Humberside police said a fire was started at the centre on Weelsby Road shortly before 10pm. No one was injured. Two people were arrested by officers patrolling in the area.
The chairman of the mosque, Diler Gharib, told the Grimsby Telegraph: "We had just finished our prayers and were discussing how to thank our neighbours for the support they have shown us over the past few days when we heard a bang and saw fire coming under the door.
"I grabbed a fire extinguisher and put it out and then two more petrol bombs hit the fire escape and the bin so I had to put those out too."
Gharib said police had been monitoring the mosque after it was targeted by youths last week and officers were able to quickly apprehend two suspects.
He said the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich was a criminal act that had nothing to do with the Muslim faith.
He said: "We have all been feeling on edge and now this has happened. It's not just the people at the mosque we are worried about, it's our wives, daughters and children who are out in the community."
In a statement, Humberside police said: "It is too early to speculate why the fire was started, however anyone with any information who could assist officers as part of the investigation are urged to call the Humberside police non-emergency number 101."
She added: "The force is currently aware of a number of messages which have been posted on social networking sites by a small minority of individuals.
"These messages appear to be an attempt to incite trouble by posting messages inviting people to assemble and cause trouble at particular locations. Those people should be aware that we are monitoring these sites in Humberside and we will take action against those intent on attempting to incite violence or post messages of a racial nature."
The Islamic centre in Grimsby is part of a complex that includes a mosque that was targeted by youths last week.
Eleven teenagers were arrested after that incident, which happened after a party spiralled out of control, police said. The 16- and 17-year-olds were arrested on Thursday.
Following Sunday night's incident, the MP for Great Grimsby, Austin Mitchell, said attacks on mosques and other Islamic institutions were playing into the hands of terrorists who wanted community conflict.
Mitchell told BBC Radio Humberside: "It's sheer, simple stupidity.
"I'm appalled and shocked. I didn't expect this in Grimsby. These idiots, whoever they are, are playing directly into the hand of the terrorists."
