Structure Fire Breaks Out at Ostila Shul in Airmont

Yisroel R.

A structure fire broke out last night at the Ostila Shul in Airmont, prompting a large emergency response as firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control and safely remove all Sifrei Torah and other holy items from the shul.

The fire broke out at around 10:15 p.m. at the shul near the corner of Smith Hill Road and Beatrix Road. Tallman Fire Department led the response, with Suffern, Hillcrest, Hillburn, Mahwah and Upper Saddle River fire departments,  Hatzoloh, and New York State Police also responding to the scene.

Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, which caused significant damage to the shul structure.

During the response, Tallman firefighters spent more than 20 minutes working to safely remove the safe containing the Sifrei Torah from the shul. Once the safe was brought outside, members of the Kehilla opened it and confirmed that the Sifrei Torah inside were safe.

Tallman firefighters also removed tefillin from the shul, while Chaverim volunteers assisted extensively throughout the response.

After the Sifrei Torah were safely removed, the Ostila Ruv came down to the scene and was seen holding one of the Torahs in an emotional moment, as the Kehilla was reassured that the Sifrei Torah had made it out safely.

State Senator Bill Weber also came down to the scene, where he spoke with fire officials and made sure that everyone was safe and that the Sifrei Torah had been successfully evacuated. Senator Weber thanked the firefighters and all those involved for their hard work during the response.

The fire was ultimately extinguished, and no injuries were reported.