Accelerant Used in Islamic Center Fire

Authorities confirmed an accelerant was used in a fire at the Quba Islamic Institute in southeast Houston early Friday. The Houston Fire Department (HFD) is still investigating what caused the fire but the use of an accelerant may signal the act was deliberate. No one was inside the building at the time of the fire and no one was hurt, according to HFD. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has asked state and federal authorities to probe the fire as a potential hate crime. The FBI is now monitoring the situation, according to local ABC affiliate KTRK. The Islamic center's assistant Imam said a vandalized, destroyed table was found on the property Friday morning while someone drove by last night shouting and heckling. The fire destroyed most of the back building, which was used for storage for books and supplies, according to members.