A large blaze that engulfed a synagogue in south Melbourne is being treated as suspicious by police.
Around 60 firefighters and 17 trucks were called to the Adass Israel synagogue at Ripponlea in Glen Eira around 4.18am on Friday.
Fire Rescue Victoria’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer Brayden Sinnamon said the 30m by 20m building was “fully involved” in the fire and the blaze severity was escalated, with crews using breathing apparatus.
He said two people were evacuated with minor injuries but no other properties were damaged.
The fire has been deemed suspicious, with Victoria Police launching an investigation.
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare speculated that the incident was not an accident.
“It’s pretty clear from your reporting that this is no accident, that this is a deliberate act of violence, an attack on a place of worship, and let’s call it out,” he told 7 News’ Sunrise program.
“This is the absolute opposite of what Australia is all about.”
Liberal frontbencher Sussan Ley said the incident was “very, very concerning”, adding: “It makes me feel quite sick to the stomach.”
“I feel for the Jewish community today waking up to this news.”
Police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward with information or dash cam/CCTV footage.
The train level crossing at Glen Eira Road was blocked during the incident but has since opened.
Victoria Police provided an update that at 4:10AM the fire services were called – a witness said that they saw two individuals wearing masks spreading accelerants and starting a fire.
Adass board member Benjamin Klein reported in the AJN said:
“It was a shock, an absolute shock. I didn’t think it would happen here in Melbourne to us. “We’re a quiet community, we have our heads down, we don’t bother anyone. We wish everybody well.”
Update by VicPol
The Officer in Charge (OIC) speaking outside Adass Israel said that the police are taking this “very seriously” and that while he did not wan to speculate on the cause that the “security intelligence unit will be running alongside” the arson squad.
Arsons squad will lead the investigation he said “and will get what they need”.
He also gave assurances to the Jewish community and said “that people should be able to pray safely”.
There was emotion when a member of the community became exasperated with the OIC and said that police have not been vigilant enough over the period of protests the synagogue has suffered in recent months.
“Investigation has begun” assured the OIC, and reiterated that all will be done to find the arsonists and that the police will be working closely with the Jewish community.
