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‘It is crazy’: Wildfires ravage Los Angeles area, destroying synagogue and causing chaos

50 14
08.01.2025

California firefighters battled wind-whipped wildfires that tore across the Los Angeles area, destroying homes, clogging roadways as tens of thousands fled and straining resources as US officials prepared for the situation to worsen early Wednesday.

The fires appeared to destroy scores of homes, business and other structures in three separate areas of southern California, with at least one synagogue completely destroyed by fire and other Jewish institutions under threat.

All three fires were at 0 percent containment as of early Wednesday.

In Pasadena, a blaze dubbed the Eaton Fire consumed over 1,000 acres as flames raced down Eaton Canyon toward homes and assisted living facilities, forcing thousands to race for safety, with winds expected to continue whipping up into the early morning hours.

Footage showed the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center completely gutted, with much of the Spanish-style structure reduced to flaming rubble. The Conservative congregation, founded in 1921, had been in the building since 1941, according to its website.

“The roof of this building, the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, has completely collapsed,” KABC correspondent Jaysha Patel reported from the scene as flames consumed the building. “In a matter of minutes, this has just completely collapsed.”

Torah scrolls in the sanctuary were reportedly removed before the fire reached the building.

Flames had spread so rapidly after the fire broke out Tuesday evening that staff at a senior living center had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking lot. The residents waited there in their bedclothes as embers fell around them until ambulances, buses and even construction vans arrived to take them to safety.

An even larger fire spread across nearly 3,000 acres in the seaside community of Pacific Palisades, where the rabbi of an Orthodox Chabad synagogue said flames had damaged part of the property, posting a picture of Torahs being removed Tuesday afternoon.

“Unfortunately, our property has been impacted—our storage area has suffered severe damage, as well as multiple cars in the parking lot. While these losses are difficult, we are most thankful that everyone is safe, and we continue to pray for the protection of all in the affected areas,” the Chabad center said on Facebook early Wednesday.

Other structures near the Chabad house were seen on fire, including parts of the Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in many Hollywood productions including the 1976 horror movie “Carrie,” the 2003 remake of........

© The Times of Israel