Brooklyn Synagogue Catches Fire

Photo via Google Maps.

Flames tore through the third story and rooftop of a Brooklyn apartment building-turned-synagogue at 1233 47th Street in Borough Park, Brooklyn, on Friday afternoon.

Firefighters responded “all hands” to the blaze at 12:45 p.m., said an FDNY spokesman, and had it under control about half-an-hour later.

The FDNY called the building a “three-story private dwelling,” but it is listed elsewhere on in city documents as a makeshift synagogue.

The Boro Park News Twitter account called the synagogue ”Lev’s Shul.” Another account tweeting Jewish news in Brooklyn spelled it ”Layev Shul.” (Hebrew words often have multiple English spellings.)

No injuries have been reported in the fire.

Previous complaints against 1233 47th Street came from neighbors who claimed it was being used as a synagogue without city permission and was building a school in its basement.