NSW man charged after setting fire to East Melbourne synagogue during Shabbat with 20 inside

A man has been charged after allegedly setting fire to the front of a synagogue in East Melbourne while around 20 people were inside observing Shabbat.

Detectives from the Counter Terrorism Security Investigation Unit arrested the 34-year-old Toongabbie man in Melbourne’s CBD on Saturday evening following the suspicious fire on Friday night.

Victoria Police said in a statement that the man was seen walking through Parliament Gardens before entering the synagogue grounds on Albert Street around 8pm.

He allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door and set it alight before fleeing west along Albert Street on foot.

Approximately 20 people were inside the building at the time. They were able to self-evacuate via the rear of the building and were not injured.

Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control, and damage was contained to the front entrance of the synagogue.

The man was taken into custody around 8.15pm on Saturday and later charged with multiple offences, including reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, criminal damage by fire, and possession of a controlled weapon.

He is expected to appear before the Bail and Remand Court today.

Police say they are continuing to examine the man’s intent and ideology to determine whether the incident is terrorism-related.

Investigators are also probing any potential links to two other Friday night incidents: a public order incident in Melbourne’s Hardware Lane, and an arson attack and criminal damage at a business on Para Road in Greensborough.

More to come...