RUTHERFORD, NJ – Just before dawn, flames tore through the Beth El Chabad complex on Montross Avenue, destroying the Jewish Community Center of the Meadowlands and forcing a rabbi’s family to flee.

The fire erupted shortly before 3 a.m. at 185 Montross Ave., quickly engulfing the historic Victorian home that served as both a residence for the rabbi and part of the community center. Thick smoke and flames were visible from neighboring towns as the blaze spread.

That center was the site of an anti-semitic attack in 2012, when it was firebombed with multiple molotov cocktails. The cause of last night’s fire is unknown at this time.

Six people, including the rabbi and his family, escaped without injury. Firefighters from multiple municipalities — including East Rutherford, Passaic, Moonachi

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