Early this morning Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) responded to the Adass Israel Synagogue on fire at 12/24 Glen Eira Road, Glen Eira at 4.18am following several triple zero calls.
More than 60 firefighters, and 17 fire trucks, including aerial appliances, arrived on the scene to find the single-storey, 30 by 20-metre Adass Israel Synagogue fully involved in fire. The response was escalated to a third-alarm fire as crews wearing breathing apparatus attacked the fire.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a statement on Friday morning condemning the attack.
“I unequivocally condemn the attack on a Melbourne synagogue early this morning.
“I have zero tolerance for antisemitism. It has absolutely no place in Australia … The people involved must be caught and face the full force of the law.
“This deliberate, unlawful attack goes against everything we are as Australians and everything we have worked so hard to build as a nation,” the Prime Minster said in a statement to media.
The fire was deemed ‘under control’ by firefighters at 4.56am.
A railway level crossing at Glen Eira Road remains blocked.
Victoria Police are on scene assisting FRV with operations.
Sandringham rail services between South Yarra and Elsternwick have been suspended.
The fire has been deemed suspicious. A crime scene has been established. Two injuries have been reported.
This report was updated with further information at 9am, 6/12/2024. (AEDT). (2200hrs 5/12/2024 UTC).
More to come.
