Arson suspect says he spat at synagogue fire in effort to put it out

No evidence incident was hate crime, police say, as investigations continue

Matthew Amiot was formally charged with one felony count of negligent fire and a misdemeanour count of negligent fires with an injury to a person (St Louis (Minnesota) County Sheriff's Office via AP)

A man accused of burning down a synagogue in Minnesota has claimed he spat at the blaze in an effort to put it out before walking away when he was unsuccessful, police said.

Matthew Amiot, 36, was arrested on Friday and formally charged on Monday with one felony count of negligent fire and a misdemeanour count of negligent fires with an injury to a person.

According to the criminal complaint, Amiot lit a variety of combustible materials with a lighter in the small space between the Adas Israel Congregation in Duluth and a shed used for religious purposes.

Amiot was then seen walking away from the synagogue and looking back at the flames.

Over the weekend, police said the fire did not appear to have been a hate crime.

Duluth police chief Mike Tusken said he has no reason to believe the fire was a hate crime, although the investigation was ongoing.

Investigators from the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called in to assist in the investigation, which is standard when fires break out in places of worship.

One firefighter who was struck by falling debris was taken to hospital, treated and released.

According to the criminal complaint, Amiot admitted starting the fire and told the police he “tried to spit on the fire to put it out, and when it would not go out, he walked away”.

However, at a court appearance on Monday an attorney representing Amiot said he denied all allegations against him, KBJR6 reported.

No accelerants were found at the scene.

Phillip Sher, former president of the synagogue, said: “We’re not out for vengeance. All I can find out of this event is sadness for everyone.”

Mr Sher said it was “extremely sad” for the congregation not to have a home for the Sabbath on Saturday. The charred ruins were released to the congregation on Thursday, and the congregation is exploring how to remove the building, he said.

Eight of 14 Torah scrolls, the holy books of Judaism, that were in the synagogue were saved.