By Kerry Wills and Barry Paddock
New York - A raging four-alarm fire nearly destroyed a historic upper East Side synagogue on Monday night.
The powerful blaze broke out about 8:30 p.m. inside Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun on E. 85th St., officials said.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames pouring out of the top floor and roof of the locked and empty five-story building.
"There was very heavy damage on the upper floors," said FDNY Chief Robert Sweeney. "The roof burned through and collapsed."
Residents of neighboring buildings were evacuated as a precaution as the fire raged for more than an hour.
"Everything was in flames," said witness Adi Weintraub, 28, who has relatives who are members of the synagogue. "I was crying. It was painful."
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