Mosque destroyed by fire was caused by lightning strike

KUALA LUMPUR: The fire at the Ibnu Sina mosque in Titiwangsa here on Wednesday is believed to have been caused by a lightning strike.

Ibnu Sina Mosque in a statement on Facebook yesterday said that the Fire and Rescue Services Department reported that the fire was caused by a very strong lightning strike to the roof of the mosque and the ensuing fire spread very quickly.

"The Fire and Rescue Services Department have therefore given the green light for prayers to be carried out at the open area of the mosque," read the statement.

"The mosque will stop all activities for the time being and those who frequent the mosque may need to go to other nearby mosques and suraus for prayers.

"The mosque's management committee is trying its level best to provide a comfortable place for praying as soon as possible," read the statement.

On Wednesday, Harian Metro that Muslims in and around Tasik Titiwangsa could not congregate for their terawih prayers when fire, which started at about 7pm, destroyed almost 90 percent of the Ibnu Sina Mosque in Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, on the eve of the fasting month.

Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Services Department director, Nordin Pauzi said that they received a distress call regarding the incident at around 7.10pm.