Fire in Minn. Islamic Center Spreads to Others on Block

Sept. 13--Fire erupted early Friday in downtown Winona, starting in the Islamic Center and spreading to other buildings in the block.

There were several apartments in the block, but there have been no reports of injuries.

The blaze began about 2 a.m. in the center, which includes a mosque and has been operating in the southeastern community for 20 years, its founder said as he watched from the scene.

More than five hours after the blaze began, firefighters were "still trying to control it," said Ahmed El-Afandi, who began the center and is a retired professor of political science at Winona State University.

As of about 8 a.m., fire officials said they believe they have gotten an upper hand on the flames.

As for how the fire ignited, whether accidental or arson, investigators "don't know anything yet," El-Afandi said. "Nobody [in the community] has given us any trouble."

El-Afandi characterized the religious center he started in 1993, in an L-shaped building with entrances on Center and Third Streets, as "pretty much gone."

The building housing Paul Brosnahan's law firm also has been lost to the flames, Brosnahan said, "but fortunately, our business records are all backed up electronically off-site," the attorney said, soon after visiting the burning block.

The fire "got into an attic, and it was jumping from building to building," he said, relaying information he received at the scene from fire officials. "I had an apartment with three young [Winona State] sophomores. Fortunately, all three young girls are safe."

Brosnahan said that when he arrived at the scene, he saw fire and police personnel from eight to 10 surrounding communities there in support, along with a Red Cross vehicle "feeding the students that were displaced. They vacated the whole block for smoke reasons."

Among the buildings and businesses damaged, according to the Winona Daily News, are: Blooming Grounds, Sole Sport and Integrative Health.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Paul Walsh --612-673-4482