Fire officials: North NJ synagogue blaze was arson

PARAMUS, N.J. — Investigators say a fire that caused minimal damage to a New Jersey synagogue was intentionally set.

Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli says members of Congregation K'Hal Adath Jeshuran in Paramus smelled gas in their building around 7:50 a.m. Tuesday and contacted authorities.

Fire and police officials determined an accelerant had been used in the rear of the building to start a fire. But the fire had quickly burned itself out, and no injuries were reported.

Molinelli says the blaze caused minimal damage to the building's exterior.

No arrests have been made, and authorities say the investigation is continuing.