Major fire destroys main building at Chabad founder's grave in Ukraine

A massive fire ravaged a significant Jewish pilgrimage site in Ukraine, destroying the main building near the grave of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of the Chabad Hasidic movement. The blaze broke out late Friday near the town of Hadiach in Ukraine's Poltava region.

The complex, which housed the main synagogue, sustained millions of dollars in damage and was largely reduced to ruins. Initial assessments suggest an electrical short circuit may have sparked the fire, though investigators are still exploring all potential causes. The kitchen and guest facilities also suffered damage.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The local Chabad emissary, Rabbi Shneur Zalman Deitsch, and his family are safe. The gravesite is the second-largest Jewish prayer site in Ukraine and draws tens of thousands of visitors annually, with around 10,000 still visiting each year despite the ongoing war. Many pilgrims travel from Israel, Europe, and the US, often flying to Moldova and driving for many hours to reach the site.

The site was restored in the early 1990s by emissaries sent by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. It has since become a major destination for Jewish pilgrims. The complex, established nearly 20 years ago, included a large synagogue, a ritual bath, numerous guest rooms, a kitchen, and dining halls.