השריפה בסאטמרדוברות כב"ה ירושלים

The Beirach Moshe Beit Midrash of the Satmar Hassidic movement in Jerusalem burned down on Friday night.

A Beit Midrash is a study hall dedicated to the study of Torah, which often doubles as a synagogue.

The investigation into the blaze has revealed that the fire was started by Shabbat candles which were left in a flammable place, and not a hot plate left on for Shabbat as the Hassidim initially believed.

"From the conclusions of the investigation team it appears with high probability that Shabbat candles left unattended on a flammable temporary stand were the cause of the fire," the fire department said this morning.

Two Torah scrolls, tefillin and many sacred objects were burned in the fire. As a result, the rabbi of the community ordered that on this coming Tuesday, the elders of the community will fast, the yeshiva students will fast until noon and the women of the community will donate to charity.

At the same time, there will be a large-scale ceremony to mourn the loss of the Torah scrolls and other sacred objects which were destroyed in the fire.