London: A suspected arson at the complex of Europe`s largest mosque in south London is not believed to be a hate crime, British police said on Monday.
Two boys, aged 16 and 14, were arrested over the blaze at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden on Saturday, BBC reported.
The 14-year-old has been bailed and the 16-year-old was released with no further action.
The Metropolitan Police said the investigation was ongoing but “there is nothing to suggest at this stage that this is a hate crime”.
A man was taken to hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation and about 30 others left when the alarm was raised.
About 50 percent of the building`s ground floor was damaged as well as part of the first floor and a section of the roof.
The 5.2 acre mosque serves the Ahmadiya Muslim community and there is space for at least 10,500 worshippers at a time.
“By the grace of god, the mosque is safe and unaffected and there were no injuries and no loss of life. The fire was contained to the hall at the front of the building and some adjacent offices,” Rafiq Hayat, national president of the Ahmadiya Muslim community, said.
—IANS