Arson Suspected in Fire at Oregon Islamic Center Where Bomb Suspect Attended

KATU-TV:

CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Corvallis Fire Department tells us that the fire department responded to a fire at the mosque where Portland's alleged Christmas-tree bomber attended in Corvallis.

Carla Pusateri, a fire prevention officer for the Corvallis Fire Department, tells us that the fire department responded to a fire at the Salman Alfarisi Islamic Center in the 600 block of NW Kings Boulevard in Corvallis at 2:16 a.m. Sunday.

She said the fire was limited to one room of the mosque and firefighters were able to quickly extinguish it.

After completing a cause and origin investigation, she says "it appears the fire was intentionally set."

OregonLive:

Islamic Center leader Imaam Yosof Wanly condemned the alleged plot by the 19-year-old Oregon State University student, stating he "denounced the actions of Mohamed Mohamud."

Wanly said he doesn't believe the fire is a reflection on the community of Corvallis where he has lived for 24 years.

"I know people here know the true reality of the Muslim community here," he said. "It's a sad situation."

Wanly said Mohamud was not a regular attendee of the mosque, but that he came once or twice a month since arriving on campus.