Twelve anti-Semitic Nationalists (Endeks) were under arrest today on suspicion of arson in connection with a fire at Otwock last night which destroyed a building occupied by twelve Jewish families. There were no casualties.
The fire destroyed three Jewish shops in the building, a bakery, grocery and watchmaker’s shop.
A police investigation determined that the fire broke out simultaneously in four parts of the building. Doors and windows were obstructed with barbed wire by the arsonist to impede firemen’s efforts to put out the blaze.
It is believed the fire was an act of vengeance by the Endeks, who have been spreading the rumor that Tadeus Olszanko, one of their leaders, had been slain by Jews as a notorious Jew-baiter. Olszansko, it had been established two days earlier, was killed by another Endek named Wrubel.
A delegation of Jewish leaders visited the authorities and demanded protection for Jews since Endek attacks on Jewish shops and Jews are becoming more frequent.
The Yiddish paper Nasz Przeglad was confiscated for reporting the fire.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
