An early morning fire intentionally set at an East African community center in West Seattle's High Point Neighborhood has raised a disturbing question.
Muslim leaders and members of 21st Century Basic Human Services want to know if their center was the target of a hate crime.
"This is kind of terrorizing the people's brain. Children and citizens and residents," said 21st Century Executive Director Mohamed Aden.
The center serves more than 3,000 people and holds daily pray services, though it is not a mosque.
"We don't know if this is targeted as a worship place, or sick people trying to harm and then destroying the property. We don't know," Aden said.
The fire was first reported at 3:30am. It started in some garbage cans outside the two story building off 35th Ave. SW.
21st Century is on the second floor, while Seattle Housing Authority offices take up the ground floor.
Most of the damage was to the Housing Authority offices, however an early-afternoon flare-up caused extensive damage to the roof and second story, forcing the East African center to close.
Members had just finished a 1pm prayer service when somebody noticed smoke drifting out of a vent on the roof. While the fire department was on its way the smoke increased and eventually small flames could be seen flickering from between shingles.
Center leaders nervously made sure everybody was out while rescuing a box of Qurans.
21st Century serves as a cultural and education center, holding after-school classes for hundreds of children and providing programs for young men.