MAITLAND, Fla. — A fire at an Orlando synagogue on Sunday caused significant damage to a Temple, but officials say no one was injured.

What You Need To Know

  • A fire Sunday afternoon destroyed most of the inside of the Chabad of Greater Orlando, which is located in Seminole County

  • Officials say the temple was between two services when the fire broke out

  • Investigators say the cause of the blaze is still unknown

Officials say the Chabad of Greater Orlando was between two services when the fire broke out on Sunday.

“The kids were actually inside this building minutes before the fire was set off,” said Rabbi Dovid Dobov.

The cause of the fire is still unknown and being investigated by fire officials.

Dobov said the synagogue is insured for $650,000, but believes it won’t be enough to save the building. 

He said he was thankful that firefighters were able to save a number of scrolls used in weekly sermons, unfortunately, though, many did receive smoke damage.

“This is a holocaust Torah. It’s 200 years old. It survived the holocaust," Dobov said of one scroll. "It was buried underground two nights before Kristallnacht, and it was discovered after the war."

Since Sunday’s fire, many have been coming by to pay respects to the place of worship, asking how they can help.

On Monday, Rabbi Avi Rieber went to say a prayer outside the synagogue, which is currently is gated off from anyone who wants to enter.

“The idea was that I wanted to do it out here because we are not allowed inside anymore,” said Rieber.

Right now, church leaders say they do not know how soon the temple will be repaired and reopened to its parishioners.  

The Chabad of Greater Orlando is currently taking donations to help pay the cost of repairing damage caused by the fire.

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