The criminal track is privileged. The Rambouillet mosque (Yvelines), installed in a temporary structure, was destroyed by fire on the night of Friday September 2 to Saturday September 3, AFP learned from the police and the Versailles prosecutor’s office. An investigation was opened for “arson” or “willful destruction by incendiary means” by the prosecution, which entrusted the investigations to the judicial police of Versailles. No suspect was arrested immediately, the prosecution told AFP.
The criminal trail is being considered because witnesses saw two men flee on a motorcycle in the middle of the night, at the time of the fire, according to a source close to the investigation interviewed by franceinfo. A judicial source adds to franceinfo that a witness speaks of a person carrying a jerrycan. The fire broke out around 1 a.m. and mobilized about fifteen firefighters, according to The Parisian.
“A fire broke out last night in our tent and despite the rapid intervention of the firefighters and their efforts, everything caught fire and there is nothing left, except the metal structures”, commented on a Facebook post the association of Muslims of Rambouillet. “Nobody was on the spot, the damage is only material”added the association.
This long reception tent set up on the grass was in place behind the Louvière school, on land belonging to the town hall, since 2009, without this posing a problem, according to a judicial source at franceinfo.
“Solidarity with the Muslims of Rambouillet who saw their place of worship destroyed by fire last night. An investigation is open and will shed light on its origin”reacted on Twitter the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin.
Solidarity with the Muslims of Rambouillet who saw their place of worship destroyed by fire last night. An investigation is open and will shed light on its origin. I spoke with @auroreberge , @gerard_larcher and @VMatillon.
— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) September 3, 2022