Firefighters were called to an out-of-control blaze at the Chabad Center on the University of Delaware campus Tuesday night, which left the building badly damaged.
A handful of local fire departments were called to the scene of the fire after a 911 call was received at approximately 11:15pm.
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Illustrative: A man holds a Chabad flag on Jaffa street in downtown Jerusalem on April 20, 2020
(Photo: Flash90)
Firefighters struggled to navigate through the layout of the building, which consists of many separate rooms, as they searched for people who might have been trapped in the flames.
According to Delaware Online, investigators did not specify where exactly in the building the fire started but suspected it was arson. The blaze is estimated to have caused some $75,000 worth of damage.
Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael Chionchio said investigators have found "no indication of a hate crime," but said the investigation is still in its early stages and the fire marshal's office is "exploring all avenues."
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Illustrative: Chabad rabbi in London prepares 'Seder to go' boxes for delivery ahead of the first night of Passover, April 8, 2020
(Photo: Getty Images)
Although the exact motivation for the attack has still to be confirmed, this likely represents another incident in a growing litany of incidents involving people who look identifiably Jewish and Jewish communal targets.
In May, the Anti-Defamation League published a report, the findings of which showed that 2019 saw a record spike in anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. - with more than 2,100.