Officials investigate cause of fire that destroyed synagogue

Authorities are investigating what sparked a fire that destroyed a historic New Jersey synagogue. Officials say one sacred scroll was saved and no one was injured.

New Brunswick Fire Department officials remained on the scene of the Poile Zedek Synagogue blaze on Saturday. The fire broke out Friday afternoon.

Fire Director Robert Rawls tells WABC-TV the building became engulfed shortly after firefighters arrived. Firefighters say they saved one Torah and the only person in the building escaped unharmed.

The congregation’s website says the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. About 100 families belong to the Orthodox Ashkenazic synagogue.

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There’s no word on what caused the blaze.

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