Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 17 May 2024

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.

Fire as a Weapon Attacks Continue Against Houses of Worship

Yesterday’s FB-ISAO Daily Awareness Post (DAP) highlighted the fire as a weapon attack of a mosque that killed 6 in Nigeria. Fire as a weapon attacks against houses of worship continue. AP reports French police killed suspect planning to burn synagogue in Rouen.

A man armed with a knife and metal bar set fire to a Rouen synagogue and attacked police.  Officials posted on X that the man was “clearly wanting to set fire to the city’s synagogue.”

An NPR an article states:

Rouen Mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol said the man is thought to have climbed onto a trash container and thrown “a sort of Molotov cocktail” inside the synagogue, starting a fire and causing “significant damage.”

Additional Articles:

• France police shoot dead armed man who set fire to Rouen synagogue
• Rouen, France: Police shoot dead armed attacker who started fire in synagogue
• French police fatally shoot a man suspected of setting fire to a synagogue

Analyst Comments:

In January 2024, CBC News reported At least 33 Canadian churches have burned to the ground since May 2021. So far, 24 are confirmed arsons. Like Canada, the United States has a history of arson fires at houses of worship. In 2022, USA Today reported Arson on Black churches symbolic of racial hostility in US. The DAP regularly reports on arson fires involving houses of worship and their facilities.

Arson fires against houses of worship are a serious threat, but they usually take place at night when the buildings are empty. Fire as a weapon attacks usually occur when buildings are occupied and the attacker remains on the scene.  PBS reported that the 2008 Mumbai complex coordinated attack included fire as a weapon and killed 172 people. While the two recent fire as a weapon attacks occurred overseas, the trend may spread to the United States.

As was stated in yesterday’s DAP, the following resources are available to Faith-Based Organizations:

• S. Fire Administration’s Protecting Houses of Worship Against Arson website.
• CISA provides a two-page Fire As A Weapon Action Guide.

Additionally, the 30 November 2023 Daily Awareness Post provided the following protective measure suggestions:

• Security begins in the parking lot.
• Install fencing and bollards.
• Keep doors and windows locked, but ensure that all emergency exits are well marked and functioning.
• Install break resistant windows or protective covers over stained-glass windows.
• Illuminate exterior and entrances.
• Clear things like shrubbery that block the view of the building (also mitigates spread of fire).
• Secure flammable liquids and chemicals.
• Clean up – Remove anything that could fuel a fire.
• Keep dumpsters and recycling bins away from buildings.
• Protect the underside of buildings. Do not provide an edge that facilitates easy ignition.
• Bathrooms are leading area of origin for arson fires in occupied stores and offices.
• Report odd or suspicious activities to your local law enforcement.
• Communicate with local law enforcement about prevention methods.
• Follow all local building and fire codes and regulations.
• Install smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system.
• Buildings should have fire resistant exteriors.
• Maintain fire extinguishers and train staff to use them. Consider having larger extinguishers than those required by code.
• Clean up – Remove anything (including shrubbery) that could fuel a fire.
• Invite Fire Department to evaluate and pre-plan your facilities.

The DAP also regularly reports on fires the are under investigation, such as the recent NBC Bay Area report that Firefighters battle 3-alarm fire at Buddhist temple in San Jose. The above protective measures are also useful against accidental fires.