US EditionPrior Lake Crews Respond to Mosque Fire
The fire destroyed a mosque and school serving about 200 K–12 students; Minnesota has seen 40 mosque attacks in four years, with 16 in 2024, officials said.
- On Monday, Dec. 8, a middle-of-the-night fire heavily damaged Masjid Hamza Al-Mahmood Foundation and attached Baitul Hikmah Academy at 5995 Timber Trail Southeast, leaving the building a complete loss with roof collapse.
- With the cause still unknown, state and federal agencies have opened an inquiry after a passerby on Highway 13 and a neighbor alerted Scott County dispatch at 2:22 a.m.
- Responding crews found flames through the roof at 2:29 a.m., then pulled back inside before a roof collapse as around 50 firefighters from multiple departments fought the blaze amid cold, slippery conditions.
- About 200 students tied to the mosque's school shifted to online learning today as CAIR-MN, Mayor Kirt Briggs, state Sen. Lindsey Port and Rep. Brad Tabke urged community support and discussed temporary relocation options.
- Investigators continue combing rubble to find the fire's source while officials say it’s too soon to declare a total loss, and leaders emphasize emotional, spiritual and financial support.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Fire damages mosque and school in Prior Lake
A fire damaged a mosque and school in Prior Lake early Monday morning, MPR News reports. The Masjid Hamza Al-Mahmood Foundation and Baitul Hikmah Academy were extensively damaged by the conflagration. There were no reports of injuries, and “the cause of the fire has not been determined. Because it involves a place of worship, the state fire marshal and federal officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will investigat…
Early morning fire causes partial roof collapse at Prior Lake mosque
State and federal authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a Prior Lake mosque and school that has resulted in a partial roof collapse and other significant damage. Prior Lake firefighters responded to Masjid Hamza Al-Mahmood Foundation and Baitul Hikmah Academy at around 2:30 a.m Monday morning after a call from a passerby who saw flames coming from the roof. The mosque has more than 200 kids from kindergarten to 12th grade enrolled…
Duluth News Tribune
‘We hope that it’s just an accident’: Cause of Prior Lake mosque fire unknown
ST. PAUL — The cause of a middle-of-the-night fire at a Prior Lake Mosque early on Monday, Dec. 8, is still unknown, but community leaders have asked mosques across the state to be alert. A neighbor called Scott County dispatch at 2:22 a.m. on Monday alerting to a fire at 5995 Timber Trail SE in Prior Lake, according to a news release from the Prior Lake Fire Department. Prior Lake fire crew responded and were on scene at 2:29 a.m. and met with …
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