Fire that destroyed South Texas mosque ruled arson

Source: Miami Herald

A fire that destroyed a South Texas mosque has been ruled arson, but there's no evidence of a hate crime at this time, federal investigators said Wednesday.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Houston did not reveal the nature of the evidence that led to the arson conclusion related to the Jan. 28 fire at the Victoria Islamic Center.

"We have to hold that back in the event we get a suspect," said ATF Senior Special Agent Nicole Strong in an email to The Associated Press.

As for the underlying motive for arson, Strong said that remains to be determined. "It means there is no evidence to suggest a hate crime, but that could change if new evidence is uncovered," she said.

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