Approximately 170 firefighters were called out Monday night to battle a blaze in an Orthodox synagogue under renovation on New York's Upper East Side, officials said.
Four firefighters received minor injuries during the hour it took to bring the four-alarm fire at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun under control, The New York Times reported.
The fire destroyed the roof of the synagogue, heavily damaged its upper floors and broke some of the stained-glass windows.
Hundreds of onlookers crowded outside the facility as firefighters worked, some snapping pictures with cellphone cameras.
Rabbi Haskel Lookstein said the synagogue's sacred Torah scrolls had been removed before renovation began on the 110-year-old facility.
It was due to be completed in September.
Source: UPI