Authorities investigate fire at Muslim funeral home construction site

A fire that destroyed a construction site for a planned Muslim cemetery and funeral home Wednesday morning was a disappointing setback for the local Islamic community.

"Certainly the community was looking forward to it," said Dr. Aslam Abdullah, director of the Islamic Society of Nevada.

Las Vegas does not have a mortuary that specifically serves Muslims, and this would have filled a void, Abdullah said.

"It's a setback; there's no doubt. But I hope that it's not arson. I hope it's not some sort of hate crime."

Clark County fire investigators did not release an official cause for the blaze as of Wednesday afternoon. The fire started about 1 a.m. at 4425 E. Cartier Ave., near Lamb Boulevard and Carey Avenue in northeast Las Vegas.

Authorities would not say whether the fire was a hate crime but acknowledged that was being investigated.

"Given the religion that's involved, we just want to make sure there's no implications," Clark County Fire Chief Bertral Washington said.

Abdullah said police have increased patrols at mosques around the valley.

"They're taking precautions. It doesn't appear to be a hate crime, but nothing can be ruled out."

About 60 firefighters from multiple agencies worked to put out the two-alarm fire that engulfed the building. No one was injured.

Officials from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also were investigating because of the site's religious connection. The FBI also was involved, a county spokesman said.

Abdullah said the mortuary was estimated to cost between $1.5 million and $2 million and was about halfway done.

The frame of the building had been completed, and only plastering and the interior were left unfinished. The building was a complete loss, he said.

The undertaking began about two years ago and was spearheaded by Dr. Bashir Chowdhry, chairman of the Islamic Society's board of trustees.

Although others contributed toward the construction, Chowdhry committed most of the funds, Abdullah said.

County records confirm Chowdhry bought the two-acre property in 1990 for $480,000. Chowdhry did not return a phone call Wednesday.

The sirens awakened nearby resident Su-Z Allen, who lost her own home in a fire several years ago.

Allen said she could see white smoke and flames and knew the construction site must be burning.

"One of our dogs makes a keening wail when she hears sirens ever since our fire," she said.

Allen said construction had been stalled on the project for some time.

Abdullah said he has faith in local law enforcement to fully investigate the fire and find a cause.

Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins echoed Abdullah's comments in a statement:

"As the Commissioner who represents this area, I am very concerned about what happened here. I have full faith and confidence in the investigators from the Clark County Fire Department and our partnering agencies to determine what caused this fire."

View News reporter F. Andrew Taylor contributed to this story. Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@review journal.com or 702-383-0283.

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Comments

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1. JapaneseLady Feb. 24, 2012 | 9:46 p.m. Report Abuse

   I wrote about Al-Quaida so that innocent Islamic people will not be mistaken for the member of that organization. Well, I should not write that comment. RJ omittted my peaceful comments. This is why I write Culinary Union and other things that which are true. As long as I write to other people my comments, RJ does not omit my comments. Some people tries to make an enemy out of a friendly comment writer. He chose a wrong person. This is why I wrote Culinary Union's true picture. I wrote about RAIN. I could keep my mouth shut but when my peaceful comments are omitted, I could not help to be back to my spat-back habit. Sorry, you people had to be patience.

2. JapaneseLady Feb. 24, 2012 | 3:21 p.m. Report Abuse

   Islam population: too many countries in the WORLD. So I am writing total of 5 regions. -----
   Asia Pacific............................1,005,507,000 ... 62.1 % .....
   Middle East No. Africa...............321,369,000 ... 19.9 % .....
   Sub-Sahara Africa....................242,544,000 ... 15.0 % .....
   Europe......................................44,138,000 ... 2.7 % .....
   America......................................5,256,000 ... 0.3 % .....
   TOTAL...................................1,619,314,000 ... 100 % .....

3. JapaneseLady Feb. 24, 2012 | 2:31 p.m. Report Abuse

   Religious Alliance IN Nevada (RAIN) does not includes neither any of Japanese Buddhism Nor any of Shinto. Japan is not monothethic. 900 million people are buddhists. 119million people are shinto-ists. Not even the four largest branch of Buddhism, Amidhists, Nichiren, Shingon, and Zen were not included in RAIN. None of Shinto-ists of five large sects were not included. Maybe all Japanese are not too religious??? Japanese have Buddhism and Shinto as the guideline to live.

4. JapaneseLady Feb. 24, 2012 | 1:52 p.m. Report Abuse

   I forgot to mention Cindy's name !

5. JapaneseLady Feb. 24, 2012 | 1:19 p.m. Report Abuse

   I know from her many comments, she is not biased and very fair minded. /I wrote about Islam population but it was omitted. I will write about Islam population I copied from a foreign publication. I copied that to Japanese (not my translation - the package translate to many languages) and English.

6. JapaneseLady Feb. 24, 2012 | 12:40 p.m. Report Abuse

   HOMELESS LIVES: Clark County has several Homeless people's shelters. Casinos donate money to ensure they are in shelters and get help. Vermillion case made some delay but S.A.F.E. HOME, and other homeless children/youth are now getting help from County. Commissioners changed their mind and donate fund ant ensure highly paid part-time office directors will be illuminated. They ensure these people are fed. Homeless Veterans have shelters if they want to be in shelters. RJ wrote about these helping organizations so you people know that.

7. JapaneseLady Feb. 24, 2012 | 12:32 p.m. Report Abuse

   culinary union local ... members include a variety of occupation organized along craft lines working in restaurants, hotels, laundries in the casinos. Local 165 includes bartenders. .... So far, game dealers, etc are not interested in joining culinary union. The movement of Union for Casino dealers is unsuccessful. Dealers usually put tips together and they share among them. Only Wynn made tips to be shared with supervisors, floor man and shift managers. It was sued and quickly lost. Union's guaranteed pay was very very low, without 3 times a day buffets. Union has some people work to disrupt casinos.

8. JapaneseLady Feb. 24, 2012 | 12:11 p.m. Report Abuse

   Culinary Union: It has been very busy beside attacking station casinos with 13,000 employees refuse to be categorized as kitchen workers. A few years ago, it tried to unionize Las Vegas Strip casinos. They failed miserably. Their offering of guaranteed income did not include 3 times a day buffet style meals. Union guaranteed wage was too low. It did not include guaranteed tip (0). Now, it has been demonstrating at all of Station Casinos. their employees rather have their tips shared together than donating any union fees to Culinary Union. CU has been too busy in attacking Station Casinos. Union has some people go to Station Casinos to demonstrate. Union has history of violent movement.

9. JapaneseLady Feb. 24, 2012 | 11:17 a.m. Report Abuse

   Dr. Abdullah: Every time I write to you, my comments are omitted by RJ. Are you the one who asked to omit my comments?

10. JapaneseLady Feb. 24, 2012 | 11:11 a.m. Report Abuse

    Between Dr. Abdullh and my comment to No More Pizza, I had no-offensive comment. RJ omitted.

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