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« on: March 21, 2009, 11:03:18 AM »
One of London's most important Sikh temples has been partially destroyed in a suspected arson attack. The local Sikh community is mourning the loss of the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat, in Bow, and the priceless religious books it housed.
A criminal investigation has been launched and police and fire investigators are treating the blaze as suspicious.
Witnesses said a man had run into the temple during a women-only prayer session then escaped just before flames were first seen.
Having spotted the intruder, the 10 women quickly discovered the fire, which had taken hold in one of the holiest parts of the temple. They tried to put it out, but were beaten back by the flames.
Witnesses described the suspected arsonist as being black or mixed-race.
Most of the temple's roof collapsed and worshippers fear all, but one of its eight holy books were destroyed.
More than 50 firefighters battled the fire for almost eight hours.
A witness, Gurpal Singh (35), an IT worker who worships at the temple, said, "Somebody did this deliberately. A man came in and got to the temple's holiest area. He was interrupted by one of the women and managed to get away. As he ran out, the place went up in flames. Everyone panicked. The women tried to put out the fire with buckets of water, but it was too fierce."
Singh said the women managed to save one of the temple's holy books, but the flames took hold before they could get to the other seven.
"I can't describe how important those holy books were to the Sikh community," he added.
Kulvinder Singh Virk (26), who runs a local off-licence and is also a member of the temple, said: "This is very personal for us. It's as if a member of our family has been burnt to death."
The London Fire Brigade confirmed that 75 per cent of the building and the roof had been damaged by the fire.
The temple opened in 1979 and has been a vital part of the Sikh community.
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