Suspect: Islamic center fire an 'accident'

Darryl Ferguson, 55, of Houston, has been charged with arson. Darryl Ferguson, 55, of Houston, has been charged with arson. Photo: Mike Glenn Photo: Mike Glenn Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Suspect: Islamic center fire an 'accident' 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

A 56-year-old man charged Monday with arson for a fire at an Islamic center last week said he did not intend to damage the building in southeast Houston.

"It was an accident," Darryl Ferguson said Monday night as Houston Fire Department arson investigators led him away.

The blaze erupted about 5:30 a.m. Friday at the Quba Islamic Institute at 730 FM 1959. It heavily damaged a 3,000-square-foot prefabricated metal building used for storage. There were no reported injuries.

On Monday, HFD arson officers said they identified Ferguson as a possible suspect during their investigation. They said he is a transient who has been staying in the area.

Arson investigators were searching for him near the Islamic center Monday when he rolled up on his bicycle.

"We asked if he wanted to talk to us in our office," said Ruben Hernandez with HFD's arson squad. "Mr. Ferguson made an admission."

Ahsan Zahid, the son of the center's imam, said the arrest hopefully will make their community feel more secure.

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"We are happy that a person who would do such a violent crime is off the street. We are a little bit safer," Zahid said after learning that Ferguson was in custody.

Ferguson has an extensive criminal record with dozens of arrests in Texas. The charges range from burglary and criminal trespassing to drug possession, assault and prostitution.

Investigators would not talk about a possible motive for the fire, including whether or not it could have been a hate crime aimed at the Muslim community.

"I can't go into that detail," Hernandez said.

Zahid said the center has been targeted by a score of virulently anti-Muslim messages on social media since the fire that generated international attention.

Some of the message on the center's Facebook page called the fire "a taste of their own medicine" while others questioned why Muslims were even allowed to live in the United States. A man who claimed to be a member of the Crystal Beach volunteer fire department made similar messages. But, department officials said he has never been part of their organization and they notified the Galveston County Sheriff's Office about his claims.

The tone of the messages prompted center officials to temporarily suspend classes for the children.

"It's our responsibility to make sure our children are safe," Zahid said.

After Monday's arrest, they said the classes would likely remain closed on Tuesday but could reopen the next day.

"We'll make a decision based on what is in the best interest of the children," he said.

Zahid said the negative comments the center has received pales when compared to the outpouring of support, including offers of financial assistance from people of other religions, including Christians and Jews.

"We're happy with the support we've gotten from all different communities. This is just so much more valuable to us than the material things we have lost," he said.