FIRE AT SEATTLE SHUL: Chevra Kadisha “Tahara Facility” Destroyed, No Injuries Reported [PHOTOS]

A major fire tore through a South Seattle shul and its adjoining tahara facility early Tuesday morning, causing extensive damage but, b’chasdei Hashem, leaving no one injured.

According to the Seattle Fire Department, 911 calls reporting smoke coming from a structure in the 5100 block of South Holly Street were received at approximately 3:31 a.m. Firefighters arriving on the scene found flames that had spread from a garage into a two-story building housing a funeral home operated by the Shul.

More than 50 firefighters responded, including seven engines, four ladder trucks, rescue units, medics, and command staff.

Due to the intensity of the fire, crews were forced to retreat from the garage and attack the blaze from the outside after the roof collapsed. At the same time, other firefighters continued battling the fire from inside the main building. The fire was declared extinguished shortly after 6:00 a.m.

The Seattle Fire Department said the majority of the damage was confined to the garage and tahara facility. Importantly, firefighters confirmed the fire did not reach any meisim that were inside the funeral home.

In a letter to the community, Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath confirmed that the tahara building, garage, and an attached apartment were severely damaged and are beyond repair.

“Baruch Hashem, no one was injured in the fire, and the two meisim who were present were unharmed and have since been relocated,” the organization wrote. “We are also grateful to Hashem that none of the surrounding buildings were affected and the mikvah building continues to operate as normal.”

The organization added that there is currently no suspicion of arson, although the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

As taharos will now need to be performed at an alternate location, the community is urgently seeking additional volunteers for the men’s Chevra Kadisha.

Community leaders also expressed appreciation to the Seattle Fire Department for its swift response in preventing the blaze from spreading to neighboring buildings.