The offices of Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical magazine, were burned during the morning of November 2, 2011, the day it was scheduled to publish an issue appearing to ridicule Islamic law, CNN is reporting. The cover features a cartoon figure of the Prophet Mohammed with a beard and turban, saying “100 lashes if you’re not dying of laughter.”

The publication director of Charlie Hebdo, who only identifies himself as Charb, told CNN the fire was cause by a Molotov cocktail. He added that it was “most deviant and dumb” that people acted violently over the magazine, when they didn’t even know what content was featured.

French Interior Minister Claude Gueant supported the magazine’s freedom of speech, saying “The freedom of the press is a sacred freedom for French people. Everything will be done to find the perpetrators of this attack.”

Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe said he “strongly condemned this act of violence.” He added “We may not agree with this week’s edition of Charlie Hebdo, but we are in a society that needs freedom of expression, and any violence that undermines this freedom…is absolutely unacceptable.” Delanoe offered to help support the magazine by helping it find other offices.

Paris police confirmed there was a fire that broke out at the Charlie Hebdo building at 1 am, and was extinguished about two hours later. They couldn’t yet confirm that it was started by Molotov cocktails, but are currently investigating the cause of the flames.

Written by: Karen Benardello