A MYSTERY blaze which destroyed a Nelson mosque was being probed by police and firefighters today.

Fire crews were called to the blaze at 11.30pm yesterday and managed to retrieve a cupboard full of religious books before the building was engulfed in flames.

The mosque, on Brunswick Street, Nelson, was used by women and children for prayers and to learn the Koran and was also used as a meeting place.

Initial inquiries by fire crews have failed to reveal what caused the blaze and police scenes of crime officers have also drawn a blank as to why the wooden structure caught fire. Firefighters were continuing their investigation today and police were questioning local residents in a bid to find out what happened.

Manager Mrs Hafaza Alam said she feared the fire may have been started deliberately and added: "I am heartbroken at what has happened.

"I had only got back from Manchester when one of my son's came downstairs to say the centre was on fire.

"We tried to save some of the books but they are all charred and will have to be disposed of." Mrs Alam, a mother of five, said the centre was used every morning by up to 50 women for prayers and from 5pm to 7pm children learned the Koran. She said the centre had been packed last weekend when a party was held to celebrate the anniversary of the birthday of the prophet Mohammed, now all that is left of the celebrations is a video.

Mrs Alam said: "I was crying all night. Crying for the women of the area because they need this centre so much. "I don't know what is going to happen now but I hope we can rebuild it so the women have a place of their own once more."

Fire sub officer Tom Simpson said: "The cause is unknown at present but there are no obvious signs of deliberate ignition."

Inspector David Shepherd said scenes of crime officers could not find any evidence that the fire was deliberately started and firefighters were continuing their investigations.

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