In a disturbing incident captured on CCTV, unidentified individuals wearing masks were seen hurling firebombs at a Muslim prayer room located at Café Raha in Blackburn, Lancashire. This attack, which occurred at 2:30 am on Tuesday, caused the spiritual room to catch fire. Remarkably, this was the second attack on the building within a week, following a similar incident last week. Although the police have stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest that these attacks were racially motivated.
The CCTV footage revealed a group of masked men throwing the firebombs through the windows of the building, igniting a blaze. Firefighters and law enforcement responded to the scene promptly, extinguishing the fire and initiating an investigation.
While the motive behind the attack is still under investigation, Lancashire police have reassured the community that they are actively looking into the matter. In a statement, they emphasized the distress such incidents can cause and confirmed an increase in police presence in the area to provide reassurance.
Expressing shock and dismay, owner Mohammed Awais conveyed his disbelief at the senseless act, highlighting the impact on the business and staff who depend on it for their livelihoods. He also thanked the fire teams and local residents for their swift response to the incident.
A spokesperson from the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service reported that three fire engines were dispatched to the scene on Whalley New Road, Blackburn, in response to the fire in the single-storey building housing the prayer room.
