Update: Cause Of Huge Fire At Historic New Brunswick Synagogue Under Investigation

The cause of a huge fire broke out Friday afternoon at a historic New Brunswick synagogue is under investigation.

Firefighters remained on the scene Friday evening, but the flames had been knocked down, said Jennifer Bradshaw, a spokeswoman for the city.

Firefighters battled the blaze at Congregation Poile Zedek, a synagogue at 145 Neilson St., according to Police Capt. J.T. Miller.

There were no reports of injuries, said Bradshaw.

Nearby buildings on surrounding streets were evacuated as a precaution.

Around 4:20 p.m., firefighters received a report a smoke condition in the synagogue.

Within minutes, firefighters responded and found smoke in various spots in the building, according to a news release from the city. Soon after, flames broke through the roof.

One person was inside at the time, but got out safely, according to the news release.

No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Patrick Murray, the Director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, tweeted that flames burst through the back part of roof at the synagogue. Shortly after 6 p.m., he tweeted that the building was “an empty shell,” but he said firefighters told him that surrounding buildings were unharmed.

“Poile Zedek Synagogue now an empty shell. Horrible loss both for the congregation and for larger community,” he said in a Tweet.

According to the synagogue’s website, the building was placed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places in 1995.

Here’s some more information about the history of Poile Zedek, from the synagogue’s website:

“Poile Zedek was initially founded as a mutual aid society on November 18, 1901 in the home of Mr and Mrs Benjamin Elfant, 25 Hiram St, New Brunswick. Originally known as the Independent Laborers’ Benefit Association, most early congregants were from Russia or Poland. The congregation purchased its current home on Neilson Street in 1905. On August 19, 1923, the cornerstone ceremony was held and one year later, the present building was completed and began being used for services. At that time, the congregation changed its name to Poile Zedek, which means “doers of righteousness.’”

The Community (Franklin Township), East Brunswick Independent, East Franklin, Edison, Highland Park, North Brunswick Milltown and Sayreville fire departments also responded. The New Brunswick Police Department, the Middlesex County Fire Marshall’s Office and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital EMS also assisted.

Photos used with permission. Photo credit: Patrick Murray, @PollsterPatrick