Fire destroys Jewish worship center near St. Matthews

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A fire destroyed a Jewish synagogue and worship center on the final day of Passover in Louisville on Saturday.

The Chabad House, off Dutchmans Lane near the Jewish Community Center of Louisville, caught fire early Saturday morning.

Rabbi Avrohom Litvin, regional director of Chabad of Kentucky, said firefighters first responded to a grease fire in a building adjoining the Chabad House. Firefighters extinguished the fire, but around noon on Saturday, the Chabad House caught fire again.

Litvin said it was engulfed in flames in just a few moments. The roof then quickly collapsed at the building on Almara Circle.

No one was injured in the fire, but the sanctuary and everything in it were destroy, according Litvin.

"It's more than just a building that houses buildings or books, but it's where men and women and children get together," Litvin said. "It's where weddings happen. It's where parties happen. It's where children grow up."

Litvin said the quick acceleration of the fire in the synagogue caused Louisville Metro Arson Unit to start an investigation.

If the initial fire hadn't happened, Litvin said there would have been around 50 to 75 people at the Chabad when the second fire occurred.

"I can't even imagine the catastrophe that could have happened, so I see a great gift from God in having it evolve the way it is," Litvin said.

Due to the first fire, a group of people prayed at Litvin's home a block away, where they could see the Chabad House go up in flames for the second time.

"It was during that prayer when I was talking about only the body passes away but the soul continues to live that the Chabad House, you could see the fires burning and we recognized that the building was going to be gone," Litvin said.

Litvin said Torah scrolls were rescued.

"Following the terrible storms, Chabad was immediately on the ground helping those in need. We were constantly struck by the incredible resolve shown by everyone we met." Litvin said. "Following their example, and inspired by the Rebbe's boundless optimism and love, we know our best days are ahead and we will continue on from strength to strength."

Chabad of Kentucky was instituted in 1985. To donate, click here.

"For so many we did not just lose our place of prayer, but our place of peace, community and belonging," Litvin said in a news release. "The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, my personal mentor and the foremost Jewish leader of the modern era, envisioned a Chabad house as a spiritual home where every Jew is welcome."