LES Synagogue Fire Being Investigated As Arson, NYPD Says

LOWER EAST SIDE, NY — Police are investigating the fire that destroyed a vacant synagogue on the Lower East Side as arson, although fire officials have not yet determined the cause of the fire.

An NYPD spokesman confirmed Tuesday that the fire which destroyed the interior of the historic Beth Hamedrash Hagadol synagogue was being treated as an arson case, though he noted that fire officials had not yet confirmed that the fire was intentionally set.

A spokeswoman for the fire department said the cause of the fire was still unknown on Tuesday.

"We're working with everyone and all agencies in terms of investigating it," she said.

The fire erupted at the long-empty synagogue, located at 60 Norfolk St., about 7 p.m. Sunday. More than 130 firefighters battled the blaze for hours before putting it out about midnight, authorities said. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries.

The synagogue, which was originally built as a Baptist church in 1850, has been vacant since 2007 when the dwindling congregation moved to a nearby place of worship. In the last decade, the aging building has remained in a state of disrepair. Records from the city Department of Buildings show complaints and violations over the shoddy state of the abandoned building.

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Lead image via Ciara McCarthy/Patch