Posted on 12/05/24
| News Source: JPost
A devastating fire ripped through the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, Melbourne, early Friday morning, causing significant damage to the historic building.
The blaze, which the Australian police are investigating as suspicious, prompted a massive emergency response and has left the Jewish community in shock.
According to local reports, two individuals were wounded after two arsonists set it ablaze.
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) crews were called to the scene around 4:10 a.m., finding the single-story synagogue engulfed in flames. According to ABC News, 60 firefighters and 17 firetrucks worked tirelessly to bring the fire under control within an hour. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Brayden Sinnamon praised the firefighters' efforts, noting that on the building and set it ablaze. "It was terrifying," a witness told 7News, adding that the attackers fled immediately after igniting the fire.
The two suspects broke into the synagogue through a glass window and were seen setting fire to flammable material inside, an eye witness recounted.
The synagogue, located on Glen Eira Avenue, sustained significant structural damage.
The majority of the damage was caused in the Sephardi section of the synagogue, according to the eyewitness.
“The synagogue did sustain significant damage so a crime scene has been established,” a representative of Victoria’s police department told ABC radio.
Victoria Police have declared the site a crime scene, with the arson squad leading the investigation. Detective Darcy Sword told ABC Radio Melbourne that the cause of the fire is still undetermined, but authorities are treating it as suspicious.
The fire has disrupted the surrounding area, with the road closed temporarily and the nearby train level crossing blocked during the emergency response. A community advice warning was issued for smoke in neighboring suburbs, though the situation has since been brought under control.