http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20091007/tap-796-boy-charged-causing-fire-kampong-231650b.html
Siglap mosque damage estimated at over S$1m; youth charged for arson
Channel NewsAsia
Channel NewsAsia - Thursday, October 8
[Siglap mosque damage estimated at over S$1m; youth charged for arson] Siglap mosque damage estimated at over S$1m; youth charged for arson
SINGAPORE: A 14—year—old has been charged in the Juvenile Court with starting the fire at the Kampong Siglap Mosque on Tuesday afternoon.
The boy, who cannot be named as he is a juvenile, is accused of causing mischief by fire with a lighter and having the intention to cause damage to a property.
According to court documents, damage is said to be in excess of S$1 million although mosque officials estimate the amount to be twice that.
More than 24 hours since flames engulfed the mosque, the smell of ash and smoke was still in the air. What was once a prayer hall is now a pile of rubble and the roof a gaping hole.
The pulpit, where the imam leads the congregation for prayers though, still stood regal as well as some holy books which surprisingly were untouched by the blaze.
Mosque officials are grateful there was no loss of lives. But still, seeing the devastation around them was painful, especially since the mosque was recently upgraded at a cost of S$4.5 million.
Mohd Eznillah Razali, head, Admin & Operations, Kampong Siglap Mosque, said: "It has been less than a year since we’ve changed the carpet, re—wired the fans, installed new fans and restored the sound system with a new set.
"Looking at all these things, I believe no one would say they are happy to see this damage and if I could cry I think I will cry now."
MediaCorp learnt the suspect was a former student of the Quranic Learning Centre at the mosque. The teen was apparently in the vicinity until late Tuesday evening when he was turned over to police by mosque officials.
His case will be mentioned again on October 14 and he faces seven years in jail and a fine.
Separately, officials estimate it will take at least one year before the mosque resumes operations. The silver lining is that officials said insurance for the building was recently upgraded. — CNA/vm
Siglap mosque damage estimated at over S$1m; youth charged for arson
Channel NewsAsia
Channel NewsAsia - Thursday, October 8
[Siglap mosque damage estimated at over S$1m; youth charged for arson] Siglap mosque damage estimated at over S$1m; youth charged for arson
SINGAPORE: A 14—year—old has been charged in the Juvenile Court with starting the fire at the Kampong Siglap Mosque on Tuesday afternoon.
The boy, who cannot be named as he is a juvenile, is accused of causing mischief by fire with a lighter and having the intention to cause damage to a property.
According to court documents, damage is said to be in excess of S$1 million although mosque officials estimate the amount to be twice that.
More than 24 hours since flames engulfed the mosque, the smell of ash and smoke was still in the air. What was once a prayer hall is now a pile of rubble and the roof a gaping hole.
The pulpit, where the imam leads the congregation for prayers though, still stood regal as well as some holy books which surprisingly were untouched by the blaze.
Mosque officials are grateful there was no loss of lives. But still, seeing the devastation around them was painful, especially since the mosque was recently upgraded at a cost of S$4.5 million.
Mohd Eznillah Razali, head, Admin & Operations, Kampong Siglap Mosque, said: "It has been less than a year since we’ve changed the carpet, re—wired the fans, installed new fans and restored the sound system with a new set.
"Looking at all these things, I believe no one would say they are happy to see this damage and if I could cry I think I will cry now."
MediaCorp learnt the suspect was a former student of the Quranic Learning Centre at the mosque. The teen was apparently in the vicinity until late Tuesday evening when he was turned over to police by mosque officials.
His case will be mentioned again on October 14 and he faces seven years in jail and a fine.
Separately, officials estimate it will take at least one year before the mosque resumes operations. The silver lining is that officials said insurance for the building was recently upgraded. — CNA/vm
