'Intentional fire' set outside Jewish Museum of Maryland prompts police investigation

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Local and federal law enforcement officials are investigating an "intentional fire" that was set on Sunday evening outside of the Jewish Museum of Maryland.

In a statement obtained by FOX45 News, David Folderauer, the director of security for the Baltimore Jewish Council, confirmed and described the incident.

“On Sunday evening, an intentional fire was set at the Jewish Museum on Lloyd Street. There was minor damage and should not impact the renovations. Baltimore City Arson Detectives and the ATF were on scene and are investigating.

There was no warning or intelligence that this would occur. The motives are unknown, but this can only be viewed as antisemitism.

Please be vigilant and report any suspicious persons or behavior. I am available as a resource if you are not sure what action to take.”

A representative from the Baltimore Jewish Council said that surveillance footage from Sunday night showed a single individual placing an item in front of the gate of the Jewish Museum around 10:30.

The representative said that the unknown suspect set fire to the object and then left the scene. The representative added that the Baltimore City Fire Department arrived to extinguish the blaze approximately 20 minutes after it was ignited.

The Baltimore Jewish Council provided FOX45 News with a picture of the remnant that was discovered by museum staff when they arrived to work on Monday morning.

FOX45 News contacted the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) and the Baltimore field office of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Bureau. Lindsey Eldridge, the spokesperson for BPD, declined to directly answer FOX45 News’s questions about whether Sunday’s incident is being investigated as a hate crime.

I can confirm that BPD is currently investigating this incident,” Eldridge said. “The investigation is open and ongoing.”

After FOX45 News pressed BPD further, Eldridge provided more insight into the police investigation.

"We are in the very early stages of the investigation," Eldridge said. "Through the course of the investigation, officers will be able to determine if the incident will be investigated as a hate crime."

The ATF did not immediately respond to comment requests.

The Jewish Museum is located between two historic synagogues on Lloyd Street in Baltimore's Jonestown neighborhood.

The Lloyd Street Synagogue, located north of the incident, is Maryland's oldest synagogue, having opened its doors to congregants in 1845, according to the Jewish Museum's website. The synagogue also holds the title of the oldest standing synagogue in the nation and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

B'nai Israel’s synagogue shares a security gate located to the south of the Jewish Museum. Dubbed "The Downtown Synagogue," the location is home to an active Modern Orthodox congregation.

Antisemitic incidents have surged by over 360% since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

The ADL says on its website that after the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas attacked Southern Israel on October 7, 2023, nearly 3,300 antisemitic incidents were reported in the immediately succeeding three-month period.

Contextually, the ADL reports that 3,697 incidents were reported for all of 2022.

The Maryland Republican Jewish Council released a statement condemning the fire.

This story is developing and may be updated.

Julian Baron contributed to this report.

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