Police in the southeastern Australian state of Victoria have arrested a suspect in connection with an arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne on Friday night, during Shabbat prayers.

The 34-year-old man from New South Wales allegedly carried out the attack around 8 p.m., pouring flammable liquid on the front door of the building and setting it alight before fleeing, police said. They added that there were 20 people inside the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, all of whom escaped without injury.

Firefighters were able to contain the blaze at the entrance to the synagogue.