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Yonkers Prcbes Suspicions of Arson in Fatal Fire at Jewish Center

December 27, 1965
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Police here today continued to investigate the possibility that last week’s fire at the Jewish Community Center here, which killed 12 persons including nine children, may have been set deliberately. Officials of both the municipality and the Jewish Center, who would not permit their names to be used, said that the tragedy tragedy appeared to be case of arson.

Over the weekend, police released two teenagers who were questioned about the fire for 12 hours. One of the youths was reported to have confessed, but latter withdrew his confession. The names of the youths, who are reported to be under surveillance, were not disclosed. Both are believed to have been employed at the Jewish Center.

Officially, however, city authorities declined to confirm suspicions of arson in the case. City Manager Frederick Adler and County District Attorney Leonard Rubenfeld, who are heading the major investigations, said they would release no more information until their probes were completed.

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