London: A mosque in Peacehaven, a town in England’s south coast, was set ablaze on Saturday night (local time) with two people inside the premises.

Police are investigating the arson as a suspected hate crime, CNN reported. ADVERTISEMENT

A voluntary mosque manager said two individuals wearing balaclavas tried to force open the mosque’s door before pouring gasoline on the steps and igniting it.

The mosque’s chairman and a fellow worshipper, both in their 60s, were having tea inside when they heard a loud bang outside and fled the building.

“It could have been murder,” a volunteer at the mosque told the BBC, adding that the two people inside managed to escape unharmed.

Sussex Police said in a statement that no one was injured in the incident, but the front entrance of the building and

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