BEACHWOOD, Ohio — Multiple departments responded to a fire at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple in Beachwood Thursday afternoon.
Photos shared with 3News by viewer Derek Gabriel (@joejgabe on Twitter) showed a large plume of smoke billowing from the Jewish place of worship on Fairmount Boulevard. School was in session at the time the flames broke out, but Senior Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk told reporters that all children, staff members, and faith leaders made it out safely and that sacred texts including the Torah were removed unharmed.
The exact cause of the fire is not known at this time, although Beachwood Fire Chief Steven Holtzman says it likely originated in an office area in front of the building and officials saw "nothing suspicious." Crews are also still assessing the extent of the damage.
This story is still developing. Stay with WKYC for updates as they become available.