New York, NY – Gov. Cuomo Condemns Fire Attack Against Islamic Center, 3 Other Sites

New York, NY – Authorities say they are investigating four fire attacks in New York City, including one at an Islamic center.

Police say three of the attacks Sunday night in Queens involved molotov cocktails. There were no injuries.

In the first attack, a bottle was thrown at a counter in a bodega at 8 p.m.

Ten minutes later, a nearby house was possibly set on fire. It took firefighters 40 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

At 8:44 p.m., a bottle was thrown at the Imam Al-Khoei (al-HO’-ee) Foundation building. Only a door of the Shiite mosque was damaged.

The last attack, at 10:14 p.m., was on a private house used for Hindu worship services. Police say two bottles were thrown but didn’t explode.

Police are investigating the attacks as bias crimes.

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO ON FIREBOMB ATTACKS

“The four reported attacks on Sunday night go against everything we stand for as New Yorkers and Americans. Attacks such as this have no place in our open and inclusive society and we must do all we can to ensure New York remains a safe and tolerant place for all. I am thankful that there were no reported injuries. To make sure those who perpetrated these attacks are brought to justice and we prevent future bias crimes, I have asked Superintendent of State Police Joe D’Amico and Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Liz Glazer to provide any assistance that is needed on the investigation.”