Wednesday morning August 19th, a team of firefighters was dispatched to extinguish a large fire at the Chabad Jewish Center in Portland, Oregon. This was the second fire at the building in only five days. While the first fire’s cause was attributed to an electrical issue, the cause of Wednesday’s fire is unclear.
An arson investigation team has been deployed to determine the cause of the devastating fire. While some suspect the fire was ignited intentionally, the investigation team is unable to comment on possible motives or causes until further investigation is complete.
Until recently, the center was a hub for Jewish culture, education, and more. The community is standing together in hopes that the true nature of the fire will be revealed, and the Portland Chabad Jewish Center will be able to continue to be a staple of Jewish life in Portland.