Damage seen after a fire at Chabad of Charlotte County in Punta Gorda, Florida. WBBH

A fire at a synagogue in southwest Florida days before Rosh Hashanah is being investigated as a hate crime, police say.

The late-night blaze was reported on September 19 at the Chabad of Charlotte County in Punta Gorda, Florida, and was contained to a classroom in the community center, police and Rabbi Simon Jacobson told CNN.

Police said the fire was “criminal in nature” and “a hate crime,” but did not elaborate on why it is being investigated as a hate crime.

Debris was seen inside the affected classroom while the letter “J” was spray-painted on the outside wall and sidewalk of the synagogue, video from CNN affiliate WBBH showed .

Rosh Hashanah, which celebrates the new year in Judaism, begins

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