ATF Investigating Overnight Fire In Hamtramck
No Injuries Reported
POSTED: Wednesday, August 23, 2006
UPDATED: 12:13 pm EDT August 23,
2006
HAMTRAMCK, Mich. -- An overnight fire at a religious temple on Tuesday night in Hamtramck is under investigation.
Officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating what caused the fire, which started at about 11:20 p.m. at the Bangladesh-Hindu Temple on Grayling in Hamtramck. ATF Special Agent Vera Fedorak said the ATF is sent to investigate religious fires and will determine if the blaze was the result of a hate crime.
Avijiit Sen, the secretary of the temple, said there have been no prior issues at the temple.
Neighbor Emile Ewanovich said he was concerned about the fire spreading to neighboring homes.
The building was destroyed in the blaze. No one was hurt, police said.
About 200 families attend the temple.
The congregation was getting ready to hold a religious festival in a few weeks. Now church officials said they will have to find somewhere else to have the event.
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