By COLlive reporter
A fire broke out at the Chabad House of SW Portland early Wednesday morning, which is the second fire within a week at the Chabad House.
The fire caused “significant damage” to the center, said Shliach Rabbi Moshe Wilhelm.
The Chabad Center is led by Rabbi Moshe and Devorah Wilhelm, who said that thankfully, no one was in the building at the time the fire broke out, and that the Torah scrolls had been removed from the building due to COVID closure.
The first fire broke out on Friday night at about 10:30 PM in the upper floor of the SW Portland Chabad House at 2317 Southwest Vermont Street.
At 2:44 am on Wednesday, firefighters arrived at the scene and found fire coming from the back of the building, FOX 12 reported. Once crews were inside the building, they found fire in the second-floor attic space. No injuries were reported.
While the fire did not spread beyond the interior of the upstairs floor, “between the fire damage on the third floor and the water which came through, the damage is nevertheless significant,” Rabbi Wilhelm said.
The cause of both fires is under investigation.
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support,” Rabbi Wilhelm said. “Our mission is to spread the love of our Creator, the love of Torah and the love of our fellows.
“Together as a community we passionately commit to doubling and redoubling our efforts in doing so,” he said.
Donations can be made at https://jportland.raisegiving.com.
.@PDXFire describes the damage to the Chabad Center for Jewish Life in SW Portland as “extensive” and that fire investigators are on scene to determine a cause #LiveOnK2 pic.twitter.com/13GCn4V1GF
— Evan Bell (@evanbellKATU) August 19, 2020
This is the other side of the building that caught fire this morning in SW Portland. @PDXFire had to break through the roof to reach the fire in the attic. Investigators on scene now. #fox12Oregon pic.twitter.com/wDNPvxckhi
— Marilyn Deutsch (@marilyndeutsch) August 19, 2020
