The entire commercial quarter of Saskut in Moldavia, consisting of many Jewish houses and stores was destroyed by fire last night. The Roumanian Academy of Science, valued at $1,000,000, which was donated by the Jewish banker, Jacques Elias, was badly damaged. Families, homeless because of the fire, have found temporary shelter in the Saskut sugar plant. The fire has not yet been completely extinguished. The damage is estimated at more than $50,000.
The correspondent of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency was today assured that the origin of the fire was in no way connected with the anti-Semitic sentiments of the population and was merely an unfortunate occurrence.
Telephone reports received by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency here indicate that in dozens of towns in Old Roumania fires have also broken out. Many Jewish houses have been destroyed by fires attributed to the abnormally hot weather in Bakeu, Niamz, Bortchai, Gurawei, Valiaska and Bivolar.
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.
