A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire caused extensive damage to the Khal Chasidi synagogue and Jewish community center in Casa Grande, Arizona. No injuries were reported.
According to local police, the fire broke out around 5:00 a.m. on Monday and quickly spread throughout the building. Fire crews arrived to find the structure engulfed in flames and fought for hours to contain the blaze.
The building, which was formerly a restaurant before being converted into a synagogue, community center and kosher grocery, sustained severe damage. The fire destroyed religious books, furniture and kosher food products.
It is the second religious building that has burned in Cassa Grande in recent months. In October, St. Anthony of Padua church suffered significant damage when flames tore through part of the building
As part of the investigation of the suspected synagogue arson attack, police arrested Everardo Gregorio, a local resident, after security footage showed him lingering around the building in the hours leading up to the fire. Investigators said Gregorio passed by the Jewish center three times during the night and the fire ignited just three minutes after he was last seen leaving the area.
When arrested two days later, he was wearing sandals matching those seen in the footage, further strengthening the case against him. Gregorio denied involvement, claiming he was at home asleep during the fire.
Despite his denial, additional evidence led to his arrest and transfer to county jail. He has been charged with arson of an occupied structure, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for this week.
Under Arizona law, arson of an occupied building is a serious felony, carrying a sentence of 7 years to 21 years in prison, with extreme cases warranting up to 35 years.
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The investigation remains ongoing and the local Jewish community has expressed concern over the devastating fire. Rabbi Mendy Deitsch, who oversees the center, said the destruction was heartbreaking but stressed the community's resilience.
"We’re devastated, but we’re not broken. This is a place of unity and strength and we will rebuild," he told Yeshiva World News.
Despite the damage, the community has already begun arranging temporary spaces for prayers and activities, vowing not to let the fire disrupt their mission. "We’ve received an outpouring of support from neighbors and friends across Casa Grande," Deitsch added. "It’s a testament to the spirit here."
Meanwhile, Jewish residents are mobilizing efforts to restore the center and are calling for public donations to aid in the rebuilding process.
Casa Grande’s Jewish community consists of about 500 people, mostly ultra-Orthodox families who settled in the city five years ago. In 2021, the town saw the opening of its first Chabad center.
Some long-time residents of Casa Grande, which has a population of 64,000, have expressed concerns that the growing ultra-Orthodox presence could alter the character of the city.