Fire investigation team at scene after synagogue blaze as probe begins

Fire investigation teams remained at the scene today after a blaze at a synagogue in Salford.

Firefighters have now left the site - after 14 hours - and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed on Saturday morning an investigation into the cause of the fire was now underway.

Crews from across Greater Manchester were scrambled to the Satmar V'Yoel Moshe synagogue building, on Northumberland Street, off Bury New Road, at around 5pm on Friday night.

New images from the synagogue on Saturday showed the extent of the damage caused. The Manchester Evening News understands early indications point to an electrical fire.

Photos showed extensive damage to the roof, as members of the Jewish community rallied round at the scene.

As reported, bosses at the synagogue spoke of their heartbreak at the scene last night and said the fire had caused 'a lot of damage'. Members of the area's orthodox Jewish community had begun arriving for a Friday night Sabbath service when the fire broke out.

Bright orange flames were visible as smoke began billowing from the roof, with huge plumes visible from many miles away.

It's understood the fire started in the offices on the top floor of the three-storey building. No one was said to be in the rooms at the time, however people had begun to gather for evening prayers on the ground floor.

It is understood some of those arriving spotted the smoke and alerted those inside. They alerted the emergency services and began to evacuate the building.

Nachman, who said he was part of the 'management' at the synagogue, said there were around 50 people inside the building at the time. However he said that number would have been much higher had it started just a little while later. "It could have been