Police update after arson attack on Cafe Raha in Blackburn

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Police say there is "no suggestion" that the arson attack at a Blackburn café this week was "racially or religiously motivated",

Café Raha, located off Whalley New Road in Blackburn, was set alight at around 2.30am on May 11.

In an update, police say the cause of the fire, which is currently being treated as arson, is still under investigation. No suspected have been identified at this time.

The motivation for the attack is "yet to be fully established," but police say "there is no suggestion at this time that the incident is racially or religiously motivated".

A police spokesperson said: "We are aware of a number of social media posts, footage and some online commentary circulating following an arson attack at a café in Blackburn, and we wanted to give you an update. We were called at 2.32am on Monday (May 11) to a café premises on Whalley New Road, Blackburn, to a report of an arson.

"Colleagues from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service had attended to extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire, which is being treated as arson, is being investigated and enquiries are ongoing.

"Detectives are leading the investigation and are carrying out a number of lines of enquiry, including checking CCTV in the area.No suspects have been identified at this time.

"While the motivation for the attack has yet to be fully established, there is no suggestion at this time that the incident is racially or religiously motivated.

"We are aware that incidents such as this can be quite distressing for the local residents in Blackburn and wider communities, but we would like to reassure you that it is an ongoing and active police investigation, and we will provide an update as soon as we have concluded our enquiries.

"We have increased reassurance patrols in the area; therefore, the public will see an increase in police presence in the area. If you see our police officers out and about in your area and are concerned, please come and speak to us.

"Anyone with information should contact 101 quoting log 0096 of May 11 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Footage shows two masked men at the building in the early hours of the morning as the fire takes hold. They are then seen running away from the scene.

The small Muslim prayer area, at the front of the building, appears to have been specifically targeted with a window smashed. Arabic calligraphy survived the smoke damage, but the prayer mats have been destroyed.

Another window at the front of the building was also smashed as the two men ran off.

Three fire crews from Blackburn and Hyndburn were called to put out the blaze. 

The Raha Café only opened last summer and was named as one of the finalists in the Lancashire Telegraph best coffee shop competition.

Owner Mohammed Awais said: “We have all turned things around quite quickly to make sure we can open fast.

“Seeing this was just to make us all depressed.

“We are also thankful to the fire teams and the local neighbour who appears to have alerted them straight away."

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