A Melbourne synagogue has gone up in flames, forcing early morning worshipers to evacuate.
This chapel is located in the southeastern suburbs of Ripponlea, an area with a relatively large Jewish population in Melbourne.
The alarm was raised at around 4:10 a.m. Friday, and firefighters spent 40 minutes trying to extinguish the fire.
Police have established a scene and the fire is being treated as suspicious.
There were no reports of injuries at the Adas Israel Synagogue on Glen Eira Avenue in Melbourne, but the building was heavily damaged.
Police are appealing for anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage from the Glen Eira Avenue area to come forward.
Victoria Fire and Rescue Service said the 20-by-30-metre building was fully ablaze when crews arrived.
Firefighters had to wear breathing apparatus to fight the fire.
The train crossing was temporarily closed. However, as of 7:30 a.m., the train had resumed operation.
The Herald Sun reports that members of several ultra-Orthodox communities were inside the synagogue at the time.
“We saw people throwing liquid inside and setting it on fire,” synagogue board member Binyomin Klein told the Herald Sun.
“They had to escape through the back door.
“One of them had burns on his hand.”
Hundreds of people were expected to begin gathering at the temple within an hour of the fire starting.
“This synagogue is one of the busiest in Australia,” Mr Klein told the Herald Sun.
“This synagogue was built by Holocaust survivors, and seeing it brings back horrible memories.”
“The synagogue is the heart of the community,” he said.
“It's horrible to see the crown jewels burnt like that.”
Australian Zionist Federation president Jeremy Leibler said the attack was condemned.
“No one should be surprised. This violent attack is a direct result of words turning into action. Left unchecked, Jew hatred puts all Australians at risk,” Leibler said. he said.
“Enough is enough. This is a stain on our country. It's time for governments at all levels to put words into action to eradicate this Jew hatred.”
Klein told ABC in an interview late in the morning that a “huge amount” of holy books, Torah scrolls and furniture had been destroyed.
“This is very scary and the community is really upset about it,” he said.
He said hundreds of synagogue members were heartbroken by the incident.
“To see it burnt to ruin in a quiet community in Melbourne, Australia, is very scary. You would never expect something like that to happen.
“It was quite scary. Over the last 12 months we have tightened up our security and had a lot of discussions with the police and local security groups and the threat level has increased. We've had a number of incidents. ”
“We are just Australians born and raised in Melbourne and we keep our heads down and have no involvement in whatever happens anywhere. And we don't know what happened or why this happened. But people should just live and let live.”
Australian Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dovil Abramovich said the “senseless” attack was “deeply disturbing and heartbreaking”.
“Places of worship are sacred sanctuaries of peace and reflection, and it is a source of immeasurable pain to see a place so intentionally and severely damaged,” Dr. Abramovich said.
“While we are extremely grateful that no lives were lost, our hearts go out to those who are now facing pain and trauma as a result of this senseless act.”
“This incident has highlighted the critical need for vigilance and unity. It is a solemn reminder that acts of hatred and violence must be met with resilience and an unwavering determination to come together as a community. I will let you.”
He said the strength of the congregation and the broader Jewish and Australian community “will be the foundation upon which they rebuild”.
“Those responsible for this heinous act, you will not be able to intimidate or divide us,” Abramovich said.
“The Jewish community has endured far worse, but has always come out stronger. My full heart goes out to Congregation Adas Israel as it begins its painful but determined journey of recovery and healing. We express our support and solidarity.”
