DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The state fire marshal now says the fire at a vacant building in Daytona Beach was intentionally set, but is not a hate crime.
The building used to be a YMCA, but the Islamic Center of Daytona Beach had recently finalized plans to turn the building at 825 Derbyshire Road into a mosque.
According to the Daytona Beach News Journal, firefighters say it appears someone set a stack of books on fire Sunday, causing the fire.
Investigators say they believe it was a group of homeless people who were using the area to stay warm during the recent cold snap.
The fire was contained to one room.
Firefighters say the fire caused about $5,000 in damage.