Izmir, Turkey +Fire Erupted in Old Synagogue+

Izmir, Turkey +Fire Erupted in Old Synagogue+ A fire broke out in an old and unused synagogue in the western Turkish province of Izmir, resulting in the destruction of the synagogue and damage to nearby buildings.

The blaze broke out at the Bes Ilel Synagogue in the district of Kemeralti on Friday morning. Firemen and police rushed to the scene where the fire had engulfed the entire synagogue and also spread to nearby buildings, whose residents were evacuated.
Firemen struggled for two hours to bring the blaze under control. The synagogue was completely destroyed while the roofs of the nearby businesses were also damaged by the fire.

The cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained. An investigation into the incident is underway.
There are an estimated 2,500 Jews in Izmir.