A fire destroyed a synagogue in Rutherford, New Jersey, early in the morning on the 8th.According to Bergen County officials, the fire broke out at around 2:45 a.m. in the three-story wooden synagogue in Rutherford, destroying the entire building.
Six members of the rabbi’s family were sleeping in the synagogue at the time of the fire, but fortunately, they all evacuated the building upon hearing the fire alarm, and there were no casualties.
This synagogue, located in the Rutherford neighborhood, was first established in 1919 and has been a center of the local Jewish community for over 100 years. It was moved to its current location in 1953 and has long been a hub for the area’s Jewish community. Authorities are investigating the possibility of arson after noting that the synagogue was attacked with a Molotov cocktail in 2012.
In 2012, 19-year-old Anthony Graziano was arrested for throwing a Molotov cocktail into the rabbi’s bedroom on the second floor of the synagogue. He was also accused of setting fire to another synagogue in Paramus, New Jersey.
CBS News reported that the FBI was notified of the fire and will be investigating whether the cause is related to criminal charges. However, local media outlets cited local officials as saying that there is currently no evidence that the fire is connected to the 2012 incident or was caused by arson.