Suspect arrested after arson fire damages Mississippi synagogue

Arson Fire at Mississippi Synagogue Leads to Arrest

A person was taken into custody late Saturday after a fire engulfed a synagogue in Mississippi. The fire caused significant damage to the historic house of worship. Authorities are calling it an act of arson. No injuries were reported.

Details of the Fire

The blaze broke out at the Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday. Photos showed the charred remains of an administrative office and the library. Several Torahs were damaged or destroyed, according to synagogue leaders.

Investigation and Arrest

Charles Felton, chief fire investigator with the Jackson Fire Department, confirmed the arrest to Mississippi Today late Saturday. He did not release the suspect’s name or charges. Felton stated that the department determined the fire was arson.

Historical Context

Beth Israel is the largest synagogue in Mississippi. It was previously targeted in a 1967 Ku Klux Klan bombing. This bombing was a retaliation for the congregation’s involvement in civil rights activities, according to the Institute for Southern Jewish Life, which also has an office in the building.

Community Response

“As Jackson’s only synagogue, Beth Israel is a beloved institution,” the institute said in a statement. “It is the fellowship of our neighbors and extended community that will see us through.”

Damage Assessment

The synagogue’s president, Zach Shemper, stated that the congregation was still assessing the damage. They had received outreach from other houses of worship, according to Mississippi Today.

Surviving Torah

One Torah that survived the Holocaust was not damaged in the fire, the outlet reported.

Ongoing Investigation

Both the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting in the investigation, according to Mississippi Today. Inquiries to Beth Israel and the Jackson Fire Department were not immediately returned.