Prosecutors: Paramus synagogue fire was arson

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office has announced that a fire at a Paramus synagogue this morning was arson and it's being investigated as a possible bias crime. Investigators are still probing the

News 12 Staff

Jan 4, 2012, 1:21 PM

Updated 4,683 days ago

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The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office has announced that a fire at a Paramus synagogue this morning was arson and it's being investigated as a possible bias crime.
Investigators are still probing the fire that was sparked at Congregation K'Hal Adath Jeshuran at 140 Arnot Place.
Paramus police say that members of the congregation reported a strong odor of gas in the building shortly before 7:51 a.m. After police and fire officials inspected the structure, officials say they learned an accelerant was used in the rear of the building and a fire was started. Officials say the fire self-extinguished and caused minimal damage to the exterior of the house of worship.
The investigation is ongoing, and Prosecutor John Molinelli is asking anyone with information regarding the case to contact the Paramus Police Department at 201-262-3400 or the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office at 201-226-5787.
Police say they have not linked the arson to other recent attacks, including swastikas that were spray-painted by vandals last month on Temple Beth El in Hackensack.