Overview

• The blaze broke out just before 3 a.m. and escalated to a four-alarm fire that collapsed the three-story wooden structure within an hour under downed live wires
• Rabbi Yitzchok Lerman, his wife Bina and their six children escaped unharmed after evacuating the building as flames spread
• No civilian injuries were reported, though several firefighters received on-scene treatment for minor issues while crews battled hot spots and flying embers
• Rutherford Police Chief John R. Russo said preliminary findings show no evidence of foul play and the fire’s origin remains undetermined
• Mayor Frank Nunziato and congregation leaders have described the loss as devastating and announced coordinated efforts to raise funds and begin reconstruction