Mississippi’s largest synagogue was heavily damaged Saturday morning in a predawn fire that local authorities believe was caused by arson, though investigators did not immediately say whether they suspected it was a hate crime.

The Jackson Fire Department, along with the FBI and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, arrested a suspect they believe caused the fire intentionally, according to local media. The suspect’s name and the suspicions against them were not immediately released.

Beth Israel Congregation is the only synagogue in the city of Jackson, and is believed to be the largest of the 14 or so synagogues in the southern US state. About 3,000 Jews live in the state, or 0.1 percent of its 3 million residents.

According to reports, firefighters received a call about 3 a.m. Saturday morning and found flames rising from the windows upon arrival. All doors to the building were locked, and suspicions that the fire had resulted from thunderstorms the night before were ruled out.

The synagogue’s library and administrative offices were destroyed in the fire, as were two Torah scrolls stored in the library. The main sanctuary was not damaged, and the Torahs there were later removed for........

© The Times of Israel