Tampa Mosque Fire Was Arson, Officials Say

TAMPA, FL — An Aug. 5 fire at Tampa’s Masjid Omar mosque once believed to have been caused by a faulty electrical cord has officially been ruled arson. As a search for the suspect continues, Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a reward.

Tampa Fire Rescue released the findings of its investigation Saturday morning. According to the agency, samples taken from the mosque tested positive for an accelerant, “specifically gasoline.”

When the blaze broke out at the 4801 E Busch Blvd., officials initially blamed a faulty electrical cord attached to a small refrigerator in the main worship area for sparking the fire. The case, however, was left open, waiting for lab results. That lab results confirmed a different source for the fire.

Following the fire, mosque officials told investigators there appeared to have been activity outside the building the night before.

“Mosque officials believed someone had poured gasoline on the air conditioner unit attached to the building but evidence at the time was inconclusive,” an email from fire rescue said. “However, that information led investigators to take samples.”

With confirmation the fire was intentionally set, investigators are now searching for the person or people responsible. Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the case.

Anyone with information in the case who wants to be eligible for the reward should call 1-800-873-TIPS. Tips may also be submitted anonymously online at www.crimestopperstb.com or by using the P3 Tips Mobile application. Crime Stoppers must be contacted first for a tipster to be eligible for a reward.

While no one was injured in the Aug. 5 fire, officials say the blaze did an estimated $25,000 in damage.

Photo courtesy of Tampa Fire Rescue