After early morning fire, Petersburg Islamic Center is a total loss
Posted by vcumsa on August 3, 2006
Note: The fire occured July 28th. The following is an article from the Progress-Index
PETERSBURG — Fire officials have confirmed that an electrical short caused the fire that destroyed the Petersburg Islamic Center on West Washington Street early yesterday morning.
Petersburg Fire Marshal Charlie Moore said fire crews were dispatched to the mosque at 4:09 a.m. to find smoke and flames fully involving the one-story structure. They spent about one hour getting the blaze under control.
No one was injured in the incident.
The center, however, has been deemed a total loss, Moore said. Estimated cost of damages is around $85,000.
The building had served as a mosque since 1985, according to Ron Gholson, head of the center’s board of directors. About 50 people on average attend prayer services there each Friday. Yesterday, they prayed at a nearby home instead.
Gholson says the center must find a long-term solution to the lack of meeting space.
“We have no revenue to rebuild at this point,” he said.
Qahir Abdur-Rahman of Prince George, who has been worshipping at the center for eight years, said the center was an integral part of the Tri-City Islamic community. He came out yesterday to observe the damage.
“We come together here for social activities, for planning,” he said. “It’s where we organize and socialize. It’s a big part of our Islamic life.
“[The fire] is a tragic blow, not only to us but to our children and the community.”
Abdur-Rahman said several Qurans were lost in the fire, as well as reference books, computers and furniture. The building included a kitchen, office spaces and a large, open room where prayers were led.
“Devastating, just devastating,” Abdur-Rahman said. “ … But we believe God is testing each of us, and this is a test right here. All we have to do is keep marching forward.”
The fire started in the attic, Moore said, and had probably been burning unnoticed for a some time before the fire department was alerted.
“The fire had a head start in the attic,” he said.
Special agents with the Virginia State Police helped with the investigation. They used X-ray equipment to scan the building’s electrical panel boxes, where fire officials believe the short occurred.
BY JULIE BUCHANAN
PROGRESS INDEX
