London: A mosque in Peacehaven, a town in England’s south coast, was set ablaze on Saturday night (local time) with two people inside the premises.
Police are investigating the arson as a suspected hate crime, CNN reported.
A voluntary mosque manager said two individuals wearing balaclavas tried to force open the mosque’s door before pouring gasoline on the steps and igniting it.
The mosque’s chairman and a fellow worshipper, both in their 60s, were having tea inside when they heard a loud bang outside and fled the building.
“It could have been murder,” a volunteer at the mosque told the BBC, adding that the two people inside managed to escape unharmed.
Sussex Police said in a statement that no one was injured in the incident, but the front entrance of the building and a vehicle parked outside were damaged.
Visuals from the scene showed a completely charred car in front of the mosque.
BREAKING: @EastSussexFRS attended a fire at the community mosque in #Peacehaven. The fire service has now stood down. Sussex News has seen video showing the building being set alight and is awaiting an update from Sussex Police. No reports of injuries. pic.twitter.com/aVj9n5ho0c
— Sussex News – Breaking news for Sussex (@SussexIncidents) October 4, 2025
“We understand the concerns this has caused within the community, and the impact that will be felt by the Muslim community as a result,” BBC quoted Detective Superintendent Karrie Bohanna as saying.
This is the second incident of a place of worship being attacked, coming within days of a deadly incident in a synagogue in Manchester which left two Jewish people dead.
The suspect, who was shot dead by police, was named as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent. The synagogue attack is being probed as a terrorist incident.
Tariq Jung, the chair of Brighton and Hove Muslim Forum, said that the events in Manchester and Peacehaven have left “everybody deeply saddened and appalled.”
“Irrespective of whether worshippers are Jewish, Christian, Hindu or Muslim, the last thing they should expect is that someone would try to harm them. I hope faith leaders and others within the community will come together to try and bring peace. We’ve got to support each other at this time of great need,” Tariq said.