Geelong mosque at Manifold Heights gutted by suspicious blaze

A Geelong mosque has been gutted by a suspicious blaze.

The bluestone structure at Manifold Heights was well and truly alight when fire crews arrived just after 2am on Wednesday.

It took 50 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

Investigations continue into the fire at the former church.

Local Imam Mohammed Ramzan lives next to the mosque and said his family initially thought the noise was something else.

‘We thought it might have been a storm, or bin-collecting truck banging the bins,’ he told 3AW Breakfast.

‘But we looked outside and it was very bright.’

Mr Ramzan told Ross and John the mosque hadn’t had any trouble in its 23 years.

‘Rather, we had compliments,’ he said.

‘We had very peaceful and love-based relationship with our neighbourhood.

‘We’ve never received any threats or anything.’

Click PLAY below to hear more from the Imam on 3AW Breakfast