COACHELLA, Calif. — One person has been detained for questioning in the investigation of a suspected arson at a mosque in Coachella, authorities said.
The Riverside County sheriff's office said late Friday that a person was detained but declined to provide further details. No arrests were announced. Earlier the department released a statement calling the fire "an intentional act" and saying it would use all available resources to investigate.
Flames were reported just after noon Friday at the Islamic Society of Coachella Valley. The fire was contained to the small building's front lobby, and no one was injured.
People at the mosque described hearing a ''loud boom'' and seeing flames, said Reymundo Nour, the mosque's acting imam, who was not there at the time. He said the mosque had been "firebombed."
Authorities provided no details on how the fire was set or whether the department has any suspects.
State fire investigators, the federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the FBI are assisting in the investigation.
The mosque is about 75 miles from San Bernardino, where a couple who federal officials say were inspired by Islamist extremists killed 14 people Dec. 2. Some Muslims in Southern California and beyond have worried about the potential for reprisals, while leaders of various faiths have called for tolerance.