FBI called to investigate fire at Joplin mosque

JOPLIN, Mo. — A fire early Wednesday at the Islamic Society of Joplin’s mosque is being treated as suspicious, according to police and fire officials. Capt. Kelly Stephens of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department said the FBI has been called in to join the investigation, and that tapes from security cameras on the property are being reviewed by authorities. Stephens said footage from the tapes is helping direct leads. He would not say what the tapes revealed.

Stephens said the department may release more information about the case today.

Carl Junction fire Chief Bill Dunn said a passer-by noticed the fire at the mosque at 1302 S. Black Cat Road, and his department got the call at 3:37 a.m.

"There was a fire on the edge of the roof,” Dunn said. "It burned some shingles, probably an area there 4 feet by 6 feet.”

The fire did not burn through the roof, he said.

"If no one had seen it, I am almost certain the fire would have gone ahead and burned,” Dunn said.

Dunn said that after the fire was out, he and others took a look at the roof. (...)