A preliminary investigation has found no signs of accelerants at a fire that destroyed a historic synagogue in northern Minnesota, authorities said on Monday.
But further investigation will have to be done once the building is stabilized, Duluth Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj said.
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Firefighters responded to the fire at the Adas Israel Congregation in downtown Duluth at about 2 a.m. on Monday. Firefighters were still hosing down the building's blackened shell five hours later.
All that is left among the charred remains are the remnants of some structural walls. The building "is pretty much a total loss," Duluth Assistant Fire Chief Brent Consie said.
Authorities said they have some idea of where the fire began, Minnesota Public Radio News reported.
"Buildings typically do not start on fire for no reason," Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken told reporters. "We have an idea, but we don't have enough facts right now for us to be absolutely sure what happened."
Police have spoken to a couple of people of interest in connection with the fire. But Tusken declined to say why they were of interest, other than that they were in the area.
Two investigators have been assigned from the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, which is standard when fires break out in places of worship.
Authorities say that eight of 14 Torah scrolls stored in the synagogue were saved.
One firefighter who was struck by falling debris was taken to a hospital, treated and later released.
Executive director Steve Hunegs of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas said his group was saddened by the synagogue's destruction and is monitoring the situation.
"We are in close communication with the leadership of Adas Israel Congregation and law enforcement in the Duluth area," Hunegs said in a statement. "The investigation into this incident is ongoing."
The Adas Israel Congregation, described on its website as "Orthodox/high Conservative," includes among its 75 members both Modern Orthodox and traditionalist Conservative Jews.
Construction of the synagogue was completed in 1902.
