Posted on 08/28/2010 5:29:54 PM PDT by The Magical Mischief Tour
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Federal agents have been called out to investigate a possible arson case at the construction site of a controversial Islamic Center of Murfreesboro in Rutherford County.
Officials said four construction vehicles were doused in some kind of flammable liquid accelerant early Saturday morning. Firefighters were alerted to the situation by a passerby who saw flames at the site.
Only one large earth hauler was set on fire before the suspect or suspects left the scene. Investigators believed the people responsible for the fire was spooked and ran off before igniting the other three pieces of machinery.
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called to the scene to lead the investigation. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office and Murfreesboro Police Department also responded.
Heavy equipment began clearing trees and removing soil on Monday as work got underway on the new center at the corner of Bradyville Pike and Veals Road.
Phase one of the project began amid continuing debate and controversy.
Some critics have opposed the new mosque, objecting to the Islamic religion. Others have said they don't want the traffic that comes with such a large facility.
A recent posting on the Support the Islamic Center's Facebook page states: "Some people in our city are doing everything within their power to prevent the building of our center and revoke our existing permit. Upon the advice of our attorney we must do everything in our power to begin building right away."
Officials did not say if the arson was being investigated as a hate crime. A media briefing was expected Saturday afternoon to address the issue.
Police said the construction equipment on scene was the property of the project contractor – not the Islamic Center.
NewsChannel 5 reporter Brent Frazier is on the scene. Stay with NewsChannel 5 for more information as it becomes available.
They should have soaked the entire site with pigs blood and guts.
better than burning it..but I believe the last time something like this happened it wound up being a leftwinger that did the job.
Given the investigative performance of the ATF, the perps are very much safe from being caught, even if they turn themselves in, rather the Feds are probably out looking to confiscate lighters and matches claiming that they could be used to torch Islamic centers
Nope. Self-inflicted.
The arsonist would have torched all of them at the same time.
Sounds like someone wanted the bang without the big buck damage.
Environmentalists.
Sounds like the Muslims did it themselves they like burning cars and such,these savages are NOT wanted why are they here?
They simply told the guys building the mosque in Tennessee that the money was being pulled.
The locals immediately sought to recover as much of their loss as possible and burned four motor vehicles to collect the insurance.
That's the way it's done in France!
Is the mosque in question sunni of shiite? I’d be looking for a culprit of the opposite sect if the investigation goes further.
Good. At least it will keep the jack-boots out of some poor honest gun dealers hair.
“Environmentalists.”
Enviro-loons to be exact. If they had known it was a Mosque they would have moved the operation.
Either that or some guy upset over Health-control.
Racist rednecks don’t burn heavy machinery.
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