Update 8.32am: Victoria Police is investigating a suspicious fire that destroyed a mosque in Geelong overnight
4am: CFA has responded to a fire at a mosque on Bostock Avenue, near the intersection with Orr Street in Manifold Heights.
The alarm was raised around 2.10AM, with 7 trucks from Corio, Geelong West and Geelong City responding.
They arrived to find the structure, a bluestone former church, well alight. It took 50 minutes to bring the blaze under control. Firefighters mounted an external attack because of concerns the building could collapse at any moment.
CFA District 7 Operations Officer Mark Sinkinson praised the efforts of firefighters to contain the blaze.
“Our crews did a great job keeping (the fire) inside there, we did have the advantage of having those heavy bluestone walls to stop the spread of fire,” he told 3AW.
“At this stage it is suspicious. We are working with Victoria Police in regards to the investigation.”
Inspections at the site are continuing but it’s believed the mosque has been totally destroyed. None of the surrounding homes appear to have been damaged.
Author: CFA Media