Flames seen through the roof at Poile Zedek Watch video
NEW BRUNSWICK -- Firefighters battled a three-alarm blaze at the Congregation Poile Zedek synagogue on Neilson Street Friday that left the historic structure heavily damaged.
More footage New Brunswick synagogue fire pic.twitter.com/6ZQz2FftGK
-- Patrick Murray (@PollsterPatrick) October 23, 2015
The blaze was first reported around 4:20 p.m., and continued to burn more than an hour later. Several local roads in the area were closed as smoke, visible for miles, rose from the site. Homes nearby were also evacuated.
Poile Zedek Synagogue fire New Brunswick. Units concentrating on soaking townhouses next door pic.twitter.com/flAET9gHhD
-- Patrick Murray (@PollsterPatrick) October 23, 2015
Robert Dorfman, the executive director of the congregation, said a caretaker was alone at the synagogue when fire broke out and that he immediately called the fire department.
A city spokeswoman, Jennifer Bradshaw, said when firefighters arrived they saw smoke rising from a number of spots before flames began to shoot through the roof. The cause of the fire was still under investigation Friday night, Bradshaw also said. Companies from several communities, including Edison, Franklin, East Brunswick and Sayreville, assisted.
Rabbi Abraham Mykoff, who was also at the scene, said he had been preparing for Friday services when he learned of the fire. Mykoff also said that one of the synagogue's Torah scrolls may have been saved, but he did not know whether the sacred document had been damaged.
Dorfman, whose wife's family were part of the original congregation, said the building, located in the city's historic district, was dedicated in 1923. The synagogue has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1995, according to the congregation's website.
Sue Epstein may be reached at sepstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @susan_epstein. Find NJ.com on Facebook.