June 13, 2026 — SpotLightHate Team
Imam's Family Home Firebombed in Bolton
Bolton, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom — 2026-06-10
In a harrowing incident in Bolton, Greater Manchester, an imam's family residence was firebombed in what authorities believe to be a targeted arson attack. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, but the attack has left significant property damage and shaken the local community.
Such incidents are not acceptable in our community and no one should be made to feel threatened or intimidated. - Det Ch Insp Mike Sharples
The Attack
On the evening of June 10, 2026, a suspected arson attack took place at the home of Imam Hassan Patel in the Sharples area of Bolton. CCTV footage revealed a masked individual approaching the house in Eastgrove Avenue and igniting a flammable liquid before hurling it at a window, causing a fire. The attack happened around 9:20 PM, and all seven family members, including Patel’s wife, four children, and nephew, managed to escape uninjured [bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yzdwe785qo).
The footage further captured the assailant dousing more liquid, intensifying the flames before fleeing the scene. Emergency services, including Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, quickly responded to extinguish the fire and secure the area [mirror.co.uk](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/bolton-imams-home-firebombed-masked-37278935).
Community Response
The attack has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about safety and potential hate-related motives, although police currently do not classify the incident as a hate crime. Imam Hassan Patel expressed profound distress about the 'serious and callous' nature of the attack and the emotional turmoil it inflicted on his family, particularly his children. He called for a thorough examination of all possible motives [haberler.com](https://en.haberler.com/molotov-cocktail-attack-carried-out-on-imam-s-home-2267928).
Councillor Hamid Khurram of Bolton Council echoed the sentiments, remarking on the distressing nature of the incident and affirming the community’s collaborative efforts to support the affected family. He emphasized the importance of vigilance and community solidarity during these times [bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yzdwe785qo).
Official Statements and Investigation
Greater Manchester Police have launched an investigation into the attack, which they are treating as targeted. Detective Chief Inspector Mike Sharples stated that such incidents are not acceptable within any community, reassuring citizens of ongoing efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice [mirror.co.uk](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/bolton-imams-home-firebombed-masked-37278935).
Local MP Yasmin Qureshi condemned the attack, highlighting the anxiety it has induced among families in Bolton. She affirmed that Islamophobia has no place in the community and urged residents to assist the police with any pertinent information or footage. This incident underscores an urgent need to tackle rising anti-Muslim sentiment, as noted by advocacy group CAIR, which expressed solidarity with the UK’s Muslim community amidst a wave of anti-Muslim violence in Europe [theboltonnews.co.uk](https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/26188293.yasmin-qureshi-mp-speaks-bolton-firebomb-attack/) [iqna.ir](https://iqna.ir/en/news/3497811/us-advocacy-group-decries-attack-on-imam%E2%80%99s-house-anti-muslim-violence-in-uk).
A Call for Community Support
In response to the attack, there has been a call for heightened vigilance within the community and a strengthening of ties among different social groups to prevent further incidents. Imam Patel has been a well-known figure in Bolton, engaging with people across different faiths. He expressed gratitude for the community's support and the influx of messages, which reassured his family amid this crisis [bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yzdwe785qo).
The incident serves as a somber reminder of the potential vulnerabilities faced by minority communities in the UK. With ongoing police investigations, the hope is that swift justice will be served, and such actions deterred in the future [mirror.co.uk](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/bolton-imams-home-firebombed-masked-37278935).