Fire starts in Islamic Center, spreads along block in downtown Winona

[MineralMan]

http://www.startribune.com/local/223606971.html

A fire erupted early Friday in downtown Winona, starting in the Islamic Center and spreading to other buildings in the block.

The blaze began about 2 a.m. in the center, which includes a mosque and has been operating in the southeastern community for 20 years, its founder said as he watched from the scene.

More than five hours after the blaze began, firefighters are “still trying to control it,” said Ahmed El-Afandi, who began the center and is a retired professor of political science at Winona State University.

As for how the fire ignited near the corner of Center and Third Streets, whether accidental or arson, investigators “don’t know anything yet,” El-Afandi said. “Nobody [in the community] has given us any trouble.”

This fire, in southern Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River is troubling. It could be an accident, but it might not be. I hope they're able to figure out what caused the original fire.

[MineralMan]

1. Winona isn't a suburb of the Twin Cities.

It is a small city (pop. 27,000) in what is really rural Minnesota. It's a classic Mississippi River community in Minnesota, with a charming old downtown area. It's surrounded by agricultural activities. East of Rochester, it's surprising that it has an Islamic Center, really, but the Center has been there for years.

The fire started at about 2 A.M.

[Jenoch]

2. I would be surprised if

the cause of the fire was something other than due to old, faulty wiring or some other accudental start of the fire.

[MineralMan]

3. That is certainly a possibility. I'm sure the investigators will

find the origin of the fire. They're good at that. We'll see.