“I think the community feels under attack,” he told the BBC.
“From speaking to the people who were saying their prayers at the time of the incident, they interpret it more as an attempt on their lives as well as being arson of the premises next door.”
The owners of the restaurant said they were too shaken to be interviewed, but said the fire had impacted their family, those attending the mosque next door and workers left without a job.
“I think the owners feel that all the hard work they’ve put into the premises over many years has been greatly destroyed by what’s happened,” Mr Fellows said.
“And I feel the loss of the residential accommodation is a blow to an area which is badly in need of housing.”