Fire destroys synagogue in Hudson Valley Hasidic community of Kiryas Joel

KIRYAS JOEL, New York (WABC) -- Fire has destroyed a building that housed a synagogue and two families in a Hasidic community in the Hudson Valley.

Kiryas Joel Fire Chief Joshua Blumenthal says nobody was injured during the blaze that started between 1:30 and 2 p.m. Thursday. He said firefighters from eight companies were called in, but the building was gutted and will be demolished.

The building was 60-by-150 feet large, with two stories in front and three in the back.

Blumenthal says the synagogue could hold between 30 and 50 people.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Village resident Yitz Farkas says the fact nobody was hurt is "the most important thing."

Kiryas Joel is 44 miles north of New York City.