The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-02
FLAMES IN THE SYNAGOGUE.
TEMPLE MICxvA ISRAEL THREAT
ENED WITH DESTRUCTION.

Fire Started in the basement From
the Furnace-smoke Was SMELL
ed During the Afternoon Service.
Scrolls of the Law Were Rescued
Through the Efforts of DIR. Mem
des-Feared the Interior Decora-
tions of the Temple Are Defaced
by smOke-The First Presbyterian
and Wesley Monumental Churches
rendered to DIR. Mendes.
The temple of the Miclxva Israel congre-
cation narrowly escaped destruction last
night. Through some imperfection in the
furnace in the basement fire was COM
municated to combustibles scattered on the
floor and the fire department was called
out to prevent Ihe loss of the building.
The alarm was turned in at 7:45 O'Clock
from box No. SO, at Drayton and Taylor
street The department was prompt, and
a stream Of water was soon playing on the
fire.
When the apparatus arrived the flames
had just begun to show. They CLEANED oc-
casionally through the windows, but It
no great Roadway. From the basement
openings the smoke was issuing in clouds,
and through 1t a glimpse of an angry, dart
ing flame could be caught now and then.
Only a few minutes were necessary for
the f1remen to get the fire under control.
The darkness made it impossible then TO
get an idea of the damage that had been
done, though it was the general belief
among the members of the congregation
that 1t was but slight. In their opinion
it was confined principally to the base
ment.
The interior decoration of the temple is
very handsome. Three or four years ago
the Temple Guild, organized by the ladies
of the congregation, secured the decora-
tons. 1t is feared the frescoing and other
handsome work has been defaced by the
smoke and that considerable work will be
necessary to restore the interiors hand
some appearance.
DR.. l. P. Mendes was telephoned by
a member of the congregation soon after
the discovery of the fire and he hurried
to the scene. On his arrival Ii was his
first work to see that the schools of the
law were rescued. They were taken from
the receptacle in the temple and trans fer
red to the home of Mr.. E. A. Well. Among
the scrolls Is the original one brought over
to this country by the congregation when
the colony of Georgia was settled.
II did not require long for many of the
congregation to assemble. Among them
were Mrs. Mendes end other relatives of
the minister. Mrs. Mendes was visibly
affected by the danger to the building for
a time end was supported in the arms of
friends.
Rev. Arthur ]. Smith, pastor Of the
First Presbyterian Church, was at the
fire, having hurried over from the manse,
which is o.l.s ecross the street from the
temple. He extended his sympathy to
DR.. Mendes, expressing his regret for the
damage sustained by the temple, and Of
fered the use OF the First Presbyterian
Church. If il should be found that the
temple is unfit for the holding Of worship.
DR.. Nendes thanked Rev. Mr.. Smith for
his Kindness. He said l%e did not know
whether 1t would be Necessary for his
congregs ton TO seek another place of wor-
ship. Until that is made clear by the ex-
animation of the temple, Mr.. Smiths Of
fer will be open to the Jewish congrega-
ton. Mr.. Smith said he had not had time,
of course, TO lay the matter before the
session of his church. but he did not doubt
that it would sustain him in his offer
Mr.. c. H. Dorsett, one of the stewards of
Wesley Monumental Church, offered DR..
Mendes the use of that church also, in
case it should be needed by the Mickva
Israel Congregation. The offers of Rev.
Mr. Smith and Mr.. Dorset received the
warmest thanks of DIR. Mendes and his
people.
The congregation win be Unidentified for
any damage the temple may have suffered.
One of the officers said there is a full
amount of insurance carried. 1t is not
thought the basement will require many
days for repair. 1t is believed that ii will
be possible to continue services without
intermission.
A service was held in the temple at 6
o'clock. Some of the members of the con-
gregation said they smelIed smoke at the
time. One young lady is reported 10 have
said, on hearing the alarm sounded, that
she believed the fire was at the temple.
She had noted a strong smell of smoke and
feared there was fire somewhere about the