A fire at a synagogue in Manhasset yesterday morning forced the evacuation of about 75 people, including about 65 children, and put the building out of commission at least temporarily, fire officials said. About 75 firefighters from six departments responded to the Reconstruction Synagogue of North Shore, and extinguished the fire in an hour and a half, according to Plandome Fire Chief Roger Coleman. Damage was limited.

“We saved the building, but more importantly we saved the inhabitants of the building through quick actions and activity,” Coleman said.

Officials said the fire began in the basement electrical room and appeared to be accidental.

Sylvia Jacobs, executive director of the synagogue, said the building at 1001 Plandome Rd. would not be in use today. She said she would be meeting with the Nassau County fire marshal to determine if it was safe to turn on power and use at least part of the building tomorrow.

“With a good construction crew, the building could be fully used within the next month,” Coleman said.

The Plandome fire department, one of the smallest on Long Island, received the report of smoke at the synagogue at 11:10 a.m. Five firefighters with the two department fire trucks arrived at the synagogue at 11:13 a.m.

Children, mostly of nursery school age, as well as adults, were evacuated from the building, which quickly filled with smoke, Coleman said. He added that additional firefighters were called in from neighboring departments.

ND