Jerusalem – Shabbas Timer Blamed For Major Shul Blaze

Jerusalem – Heroic efforts by firefighters and preventative security measures allowed a Chabad synagogue’s Torah scrolls to escape harm during a weekend fire that caused extensive damage to the building.

ARUTZ SHEVA 7 (http://bit.ly/14lkox4) is reporting that early reports point to a defective Shabbat timer as a possible cause for the fire. A short in the timer apparently generated sparks or a small fire, which quickly spread, an eye witness said.

According to reports, the blaze broke out during Shabbat afternoon and quickly spread throughout the building located in the Givat Shaul neighborhood of Jerusalem, consuming most of the synagogue’s holy books in its path.

Witnesses said firefighters “extended” themselves to prevent the fire from reaching the synagogue’s Holy Ark, which also serves as a safe, and that the Torah scrolls were not damaged.