Thick plumes of smoke are billowing up into the sky from the Satmar V’Yoel Moshe Orthodox synagogue in Salford which caught fire this evening and road closures are in place
A massive fire has ripped through a synagogue with fire fighters tackling the flames as thick plumes of smoke billows into the sky.
Emergency services responded to reports of the fire at the Satmar V’Yoel Moshe Orthodox synagogue on Northumberland Street in Salford, at around 5pm this evening and six fire engines were despatched to the scene. Photos show the upper stories of the property ablaze, with smoke billowing out.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said that firefighters using breathing apparatus were attempting to bring the blaze under control. A police cordon is in place and Northumberland Street has been closed.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police said they were at the scene for traffic management and to manage the closure of the road while firefighters tackled the blaze. A spokesperson for the synagogue said that the fire started in offices on the top floor of the building and that they believe it is an electrical fire, but added it was ‘too early’ to be sure.
The fire service said it was still attempting to bring the fire under control at 8pm. With a later update at around 9.30pm confirming that the fire had been extinguished, but crews would remain “on the scene overnight.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At around 5pm today (Friday 31 January), six fire engines from Manchester Central, Blackley, Phillips Park, Salford and Broughton fire stations were called to reports of a fire involving a synagogue on Northumberland Street, Salford. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus arrived quickly and are using hose reels to control the fire while Greater Manchester Police cordon the road. Crews remain in attendance.”
In an update on X at 8pm, the fire service said: Firefighters are in attendance at a fire involving a synagogue on Northumberland Street in Salford. Crews are working with partner agencies to bring the fire under control and keep residents safe. The road currently remains closed.”
A representative for the synagogue told the Manchester Evening News it was “very upsetting” to see the damage. He continued: “Our heart and soul is in that building. We come here everyday. Everyone is connected to it. There is no good time for it to happen but this is a bad time.” It is understood that the top floor of the building has been ruined as well as part of the second floor where there has been water damage.
