The following is via NY1:

The city fire department is trying to figure out what sparked the flames Sunday that engulfed and destroyed an historic synagogue on the Lower East Side.

The fire at the Beth Hamedrash Hagadol synagogue on Norfolk Street broke out shortly after 7 p.m.

It took firefighters almost two hours to get it under control.

The Gothic structure was originally built in 1850 as a Baptist church, and was landmarked by the city in 1967.

The synagogue was closed in 2007.

One former congregant says the building’s history is irreplaceable.

“They don’t make buildings like this anymore, and it’s not just the physical beauty, but the prayers that were sung many years ago. Very famous cantors would come here from…decades ago would sing here. This would be, not just for prayers but for meetings, for politicians, for singers, very famous singers generations ago,” the person noted.

The building appears to have been vacant when the fire started.

No injuries were reported.

(Source: NY1)