Arsonists destroy church building earmarked for new mosque

Police were investigating today whether a fire which destroyed a church building earmarked for a new mosque was a racially-motivated arson attack.

The former St Matthew's Church, in Boultham Park Road, Lincoln, was severely damaged when the blaze broke out in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Muslim leaders were hoping to turn the grade II-listed premises - vacant since 2000 - into a mosque after being granted planning consent in July.

But it is now feared their plans may have been destroyed by a hate-fuelled attack by arsonists.

Chairman of the Islamic Association in Lincoln Dr Rameez Zafar told the Lincolnshire Echo: "It is very sad for us obviously and there is a possibility it is a hate crime."

Lincolnshire Police said it was only one of many lines of inquiry being investigated.

Inspector Dave Legg said: "We are working closely with representatives of the Islamic Association, Independent Advisory Group members and ward councillors to provide reassurance to the communities that the incident affects.

"Concerns have been expressed that this could have been racially motivated and we take such concerns very seriously. However, at this stage we do not have any evidence to suggest that this is the case.

"This will be one line of inquiry amongst many other potential causes which we will be looking into."

A detailed forensic examination of the site failed to establish the cause of the fire or whether it was started deliberately, he added.

Anyone with information about the blaze is asked to contact police on (01522) 532 222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.