A local synagogue, Beit Midrash Morasha, located on Arthurs Road, Sea Point, went up in flames on Tuesday night.
City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Theo Lane said that the incident happened just before 11pm.
In order to tackle the blaze, 22 fire fighters, four fire engines, one aerial appliance and a rescue vehicle were dispatched to the scene.
Lane said that the cause of the fire is currently undetermined.
Rael Kaimowitz, Chairman of the Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD), confirmed that there were no injuries.
“A massive fire has engulfed the Beit Midrash Morasha synagogue … Our heartfelt prayers are with Rabbi Thurgood and the entire congregation. The SAJBD … can confirm on behalf of the synagogue that there are no injuries and investigators report no signs of foul play at this stage and await the outcome of a full investigation,” he said.
Kaimowitz thanks the city’s Fire and Rescue Services for curbing the fire and even rescuing holy books from the flames.
“The City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services need to be thanked for their bravery as they battle this blaze. We know that every effort is being made to save any holy books and religious articles,” Kaimowitz said.
Just got home to discover that the synagogue next to my apartment on fire #seapoint #fire #capetown @CapeTown pic.twitter.com/xJWJSOWe1k
— Kristen George (@kristengeorge_) December 4, 2018
Hebrew Congregration on fire in Sea Point next to our apartment.@News24 #capetowninfo #capetown pic.twitter.com/xKnmQkqy0O
— Annette de Wet (@annette_dewet) December 4, 2018
This is tragic, a fire has ripped through Arthur’s Road Shul in Sea Point. pic.twitter.com/vWpMUePJO3
— Jani Allan (@JaniAllan) December 5, 2018
Doesn’t look like anyone got hurt. ?? Shout out to #CapeTown firemen and MIRACLE that loads of precious books are being saved from Sea Point Hebrew Congreration which caught fire. @media24 #capetowninfo pic.twitter.com/jMXoOZnXGG
— Annette de Wet (@annette_dewet) December 4, 2018
Picture: Ceejay Ludick