By COLlive reporter
Residents of Milford are devastated after the historic Hebrew Congregation of Woodmont was heavily damaged in a fire Sunday morning.
The Hartford Courant reported that firefighters were called at 9:23 a.m. and on arrival found heavy fire at the 1926 established synagogue.
While flames gutted the sanctuary, the synagogue’s social hall was not damaged by the fire, said Chanie Wilhelm, whose husband Rabbi Schneur Wilhelm is the synagogue’s rabbi and local Shliach.
Milford firefighters saved the synagogue’s two Torah scrolls. A shofar was also salvaged, the Courant said.
Milford fire department Battalion Chief Christopher Zak said shul members spoke of the Torah scrolls’ importance and firefighters looked for them once the bulk of the fire was extinguished.
Milford’s fire marshall was investigating the fire’s cause. Arson is not suspected.
ar·son /ˈɑrsən/ Show Spelled[ahr-suhn] Show IPA
noun
Law . the malicious burning of another’s house or property, or in some statutes, the burning of one’s own house or property, as to collect insurance.
purposely?? i dont get it.
he said it was not arson….. do you know what arson is?
The article says they don’t think it was intentionally set. It was probably just a bit of faulty wiring, which is unfortunately not uncommon in old buildings. Very sad though. At least the Torahs were saved and no one was hurt.
My grandfather est that shul and to see it come down in such tragedy is a real killer. I hope that whoever did this horrible act gets what he deserves.