A man is accused of starting a fire that destroyed a place of worship in Guelph, Ont. On Sunday, around 10 a.m., flames and thick smoke were seen on the roof of the Al-Fatema Islamic Centre on Stevenson Street South. The Guelph Police Service said the interior of the building was completely destroyed. Damage is estimated at $1 million. Police quickly identified a suspect. “The building’s owner arrived on scene and told officers a man had been observed on security cameras inside when the building was supposed to be vacant earlier in the morning,” they wrote in a press release. The Guelph man was also known to the owners. The 38-year-old was arrested that same day. He’s been charged with arson and three counts of breaching a probation order. Police don’t believed the fire was a hate-motivated act. No further details have been shared about the origin of the fire, but the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating. “Investigations of this nature can involve several layers, including a detailed examination of the fire scene, collection and analysis of physical evidence, technical assessments, and, where necessary, additional forensic testing. Each stage is important in ensuring a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the origin and cause of the fire,” an email from the office of the Fire Marshal said.
