Austin Fire investigating suspected arson at Central Austin synagogue

AUSTIN, Texas — Arson investigators responded to a fire that started on the outside of a central Austin synagogue Sunday night, according to the Austin Fire Department.

AFD said firefighters responded in 3 to 4 minutes around 9:04 p.m. to the Congregation Beth Israel located at 3901 Shoal Creek Boulevard - just north of Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin off of West 38th Street.

Based on what they saw at the scene, arson investigators were called to the scene, according to AFD. Officials say it appeared that there was "some type of ignitable liquid used in the event to accelerate the fire."

Crews were able to put out the fire by around 9:30 p.m. Fortunately, the damages were not significant.

"By the time that they did get there (crews) the fire had downsized quite a bit because the building is, fortunately, a concrete type building and basically concrete doesn’t really burn. Based on the building construction, it did save the building quite a bit," AFD Assistant Chief Jeffery Kennedy said.

Firefighters estimate the damage based on the doors and the cleanup to be around $25,000 worth. AFD says there were no injuries.

The fire comes on the heels of a week since anti-Semitic banners were first seen hanging off of the Far West overpass of MoPac reading "Vax the Jews" and three days later on a bridge over the Northbound lanes of MoPac - including an incident where hate symbols and racist words were found painted across several parking spots at Anderson High School.

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These were displayed near the scene of the synagogue fire.

Community leaders along with the Jewish community formed a group in protest of the anti-Semitic incidents.

During a Q & A session Monday night, AFD Assistant Chief Jeffery Kennedy said the following statement in support of the Austin community:

“We want to make clear to the community that the Austin Fire department stands shoulder to shoulder in support of our community, communities of faith, our leadership and our public safety partners. Unfortunately, last night our community suffered a hit due to some anti-Semitic actions, and we as reported, responded. I would like to say our crews did an outstanding job minimizing the damage. Today I have with me division Chief Tom Bokey, the fire marshal, and Captain Jennings who leads the investigation in this unfortunate event."

AFD Arson Investigators said they have obtained and are reviewing video footage from the fire building and following up with tips to determine what caused the incendiary fire. K-9 also scanned the fire debris and provided some positive hits to collect samples. Those were sent to the state lab for analysis.