A synagogue in Cape Town was engulfed by fire last night, with seven Torah scrolls reported to have been destroyed in the blaze.

Beit Midrash Morasha synagogue in the city’s Seapoint neighbourhood, known by locals as the Arthur’s Road Shul, was reported to be on fire at 23:00 on Tuesday night.

Four fire engines battled the blaze into the early hours of Wednesday morning, with a spokesperson for the Cape Town fire and rescue service confirming that “no injuries were reported”.

Rael Kaimowitz, chair of the Cape Council of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, released a statement saying that it could confirm “on behalf of the synagogue that there are no injuries.”

It added: “Investigators report no signs of foul play at this stage and await the outcome of a full investigation.”

Just a few hours after the fire was extinguished, congregants gathered in the courtyard of the synagogue for morning prayers.

In emotional message sent to congregants, Rabbi Sam Thurgood, head of the congregation, said:

“Dear community, you may have heard the terrible news of the fire in the shul [synagogue] tonight. Everyone is okay and although the damage is substantial whatever is lost can be rebuilt.

“At this point we need prayers and mitzvot [good deeds], but there will be a great deal needed in the days and months ahead. We will update you on the way forward as we have a clearer idea of the path to be charted.”

One of those present at morning prayers on Wednesday described how  during the service “one of the Shul’s trustees, Lance Katz announced the underwriting of a new Torah, to be written by the entire community, as the 'first of many' new Torahs that the Shul will PG [Please God] receive."