The police said there was "significant damage" to the building, and television images showed firefighters hosing down the embers through the door.
A witness entering the Australian synagogue for morning prayers saw "two individuals wearing masks", Detective Inspector Chris Murray of the Victorian police arson and explosive squad told reporters at the scene.
"They appeared to be spreading an accelerant of some type on the premises," he said.
The synagogue was "engulfed in flames", he added.
"We believe it was deliberate. We believe it has been targeted. What we don't know is why."
The police will increase patrols and do their utmost to catch the arsonists, who were described as wearing dark clothing, he said.
Detectives would be looking at CCTV footage and interviewing any witnesses, Mr Murray said.
Denne historien er fra December 07, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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Denne historien er fra December 07, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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Jay-Z will seek dismissal of sexual assault lawsuit his lawyer calls a 'sham'
Lawyers for Jay-Z (right) plan to ask a judge to toss a lawsuit accusing the American rapper of raping a 13-year-old in 2000, pointing to what they described as \"glaring inconsistencies\" that emerged in an NBC interview of the accuser, who was not named in the suit.
Comedian Jimmy O. Yang finds people who look more like him than himself in lookalike contest
It looks like there are Asians out there who look more like Jimmy O. Yang than the man himself, said the Hong Kong-born American actor and stand-up comedian.
Brazil judge orders Adele song to be pulled globally
A Brazilian judge has ordered a song by British pop superstar Adele (left), Million Years Ago (2015), to be pulled worldwide - including on streaming services - over an ongoing plagiarism claim by a Brazilian composer.
Local musician-TikToker first from Asia to be nominated
Drumeo Awards: TikTok Drummer of the Year category
Malcolm In The Middle is getting a four-episode revival on Disney+
NEW YORK - One of America's wackiest families is making a comeback.
Pedro Almodovar is not lost in translation
Working in English and directing Hollywood stars can be difficult for European directors. But the Spanish director's The Room Next Door is an exception
Lessons from a dog attack
Viewpoint Canines may bite and scratch when excited or caught by surprise
Could dark chocolate reduce risk of diabetes?
If you have long assumed that you must deprive yourself of delicious foods to be healthy, a new study in medical journal The BMJ offers encouraging news: Eating dark chocolate has been associated with a reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
BAD BACK
More teens and young adults hit with degenerative disc disease
Diplomacy ● Remark about chai in poor taste
I refer to the article \"No shortage of chai for Singapore's envoy in India after 'tasteless' brew post goes viral\" (Dec 16).
