WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey.  September 9, 2003: White Plains Commissioner of Public Safety Dr. Frank Straub at the scene reported the Bet Am Shalom fire Tuesday morning has been brought under control as of 1 PM after approximately three hours. He said the efforts of 75 fire fighters,  50 from White Plains, and 25 from Hartsdale, Greenville and New Rochelle had been able to save the building. He reported the religious artifacts from the temple had been saved and that the primary place of worship had suffered little damage. He reported the roof on the "older portion" of the building is gone, but the building saved.

Straub said there was nothing suspicious about the origin of the fire. He said the cause appeared to be electrical because it had been burning for some time, noting "the walls were hot when we got there." He said as of 1 PM the firefighters were still putting out "a few hot spots." He said the crews would then clean up the premises of debris and conditions created by the fire fighting procedures.
 

UNDER CONTROL. NOT SUSPICIOUS. SAVED. The Bet Am Shalom Synagogue at 1 o'clock today, smouldering but under control. Photo by WPCNR News