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# Guelph Man Charged with Arson Following $1-Million Fire at Local Islamic Centre
- URL: https://www.iqra.ca/2026/guelph-man-charged-with-arson-following-1-million-fire-at-local-islamic-centre/
- Published: 2026-11-11T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-11T16:01:18.000Z
- Description: A 38-year-old Guelph man faces arson charges after a devastating fire destroyed the interior of a local place of worship on Sunday morning, resulting in an estimated $1 million in damages.
- Author: Iqra
- Tags: News, Al-Fatema Islamic Centre, Guelph Muslims, Guelph Police Service

A 38-year-old Guelph man faces arson charges after a devastating fire destroyed the interior of a local place of worship on Sunday morning, resulting in an estimated $1 million in damages.

Emergency crews responded shortly after 10 a.m. to the Al-Fatema Islamic Centre, located on Stevenson Street South, after a bystander reported seeing flames and thick smoke pushing through the building’s roof. 

Firefighters worked to contain the blaze, but officials confirmed the interior of the centre was completely destroyed. No injuries were reported from the scene.

According to the Guelph Police Service, investigators quickly focused on a suspect with the assistance of the property owners.

“The building’s owner arrived on scene and told officers a man had been observed on security cameras inside when the building was supposed to be vacant earlier in the morning,” police said in a release.

Officers located the suspect in the area at approximately 1:30 p.m. that afternoon and took him into custody without incident.

The accused has been charged with arson and three counts of breaching a probation order. Police confirmed that the man was known to the building’s owners. 

While incidents involving places of worship regularly prompt community concern regarding potential bias crimes, Guelph Police stated that the fire is not believed to have been hate-motivated.

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing. Investigators from the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office were called to examine the scene to determine the origin and circumstances of the blaze.

The destruction of the Al-Fatema Islamic Centre marks a painful loss for worshippers who gathered at the Stevenson Street South space. 

For grassroots religious organizations, a centre is far more than bricks and mortar; it serves as a spiritual sanctuary, a gathering hall, and an anchor for family and community life.

Local faith communities across Southwestern Ontario have historically rallied around congregations following fires, vandalism, and structural disasters, offering alternative spaces for weekly prayers and community gatherings while rebuilding efforts take shape. 

Community members in Guelph are expected to coordinate support and interim accommodations as the investigation concludes and the process of recovery begins.

### Sources

- **GuelphToday:** [Guelph man arrested for fire causing $1 million in damage to Islamic centre](https://www.guelphtoday.com/police/guelph-man-arrested-for-fire-causing-1-million-in-damage-to-islamic-centre-12995674?ref=iqra.ca)
- **CTV News Kitchener:** [Fire destroys Islamic centre in Guelph, Ont.](https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/guelph/article/fire-destroys-islamic-centre-in-guelph-ont/?ref=iqra.ca)
- **Guelph Police Service:** [Media Release – November 9, 2026](https://www.guelphpolice.ca/news/posts/media-release-november-9-2026/?ref=iqra.ca)