Monsey, USA - Investigators seeking the cause of a fire that destroyed an anti-Zionist Jewish group's synagogue said they haven't found any evidence of arson.
The fire gutted the Neturei Karta's three-story, century-old structure Sunday in what the group at first suspected was a deliberate act to target members because of their anti-Israel views.
Authorities initially said the fire was suspicious, but they backed off Monday afternoon as they got a closer look at the charred house about 35 miles north of New York City.
Peter Brower, chief of the Ramapo Police Department, said that although officials had not ruled anything out, nothing emerged from the initial investigation to indicate that arson was the cause. No sign of accelerants was found.
"Right now, we have an undetermined origin to the fire," Brower said.
No one was injured in the fire that broke out on the eve of Passover, reportedly in a kitchen area. A senior Neturei Karta rabbi and his family, who lived on the top floor of the building, were not home at the time.
Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, a leader of Neturei Karta, called it a "tragedy" that so many holy books went up in flames. "A part of our heart and soul was taken away," he said.
The blaze threw a spotlight on a group that locals in this largely Jewish community aren't shy about describing with words like "traitor" and "crackpots."
Members routinely burn the Israeli flag. They pray for the end of the Jewish state. A few members even traveled to Iran to participate in a Holocaust-denial conference.
The group opposes Israel because they believe there should not be a Jewish state until the Messiah comes and leads them to the promised land. Members believe Israelis have used the Holocaust to gain sympathy and advantage.
"They are crazy, but no one should burn down their synagogue," Holocaust survivor Shei Kormblue said as his family members were busy making matzo for Passover. "God will punish whoever needs punishment. It's not up to us."