Fire breaks out at Minneapolis mosque overnight, CAIR-Minnesota calls for investigation

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - An investigation is underway after a fire broke out at a mosque in Minneapolis overnight. 

The fire started just before midnight Sunday at the Tawfiq Islamic Center at 29th Avenue and Lyndale Avenue North in the Hawthorne neighborhood, according to the Minneapolis Fire Department. When crews arrived, they found flames burning in the entryway and put the fire out quickly. 

The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations says the fire caused extensive damage to the front entrance of the mosque with additional water damage to other parts of the facility. 

CAIR-Minnesota is calling on law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for the fire, but Minneapolis Police Department spokesperson John Elder said the fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical issue and is not arson. 

The fire remains under investigation.