The Israel Innovation Fund (TIIF) headquarters was burned to the ground late Sunday night after a blaze broke out in the Tel Aviv building.
TIIF CEO and Founder Adam Scott Bellos, whostarted the nonprofit to promote Israeli and Jewish culture, and his dog Momo reportedly barely made it out alive as flames consumed the nearly 100-year-old building in Tel Aviv's Neeve Tzedek neighborhood, a building that was recently converted from a historical Yemenite synagogue to his the two-story office and residence.
The fire reportedly began at 2:30 a.m. when Bellos was woken up by the sounds of popping noises and the smell of smoke. When the executive came downstairs to the office from the residential area of the building, he discovered the electric box had gone up in flames and a fire was now spreading to every other area of the property.
Everything on the property was completely destroyed along with all of Bellos' personal belongings, family heirlooms including an afghan blanket that was passed down from his late grandmother before her passing, all of the fund’s documents, Zionist artwork, many cases of wine that were to be used for TIIF’s Wine on The Vine program, and more, all gone to ashes.
According to the Fire and Police departments' investigation, the fire was caused by an old electricity box that was not properly maintained over the years and blew up. The investigation is still in process.
On Wednesday, TIIF is set to host a Young Leadership Wine & Cheese event that will feature the best of Live Israeli Music, Art and Wine. Bellos is looking for another venue to host nearly 100 young professionals.
TIIF has launched a GoFund Me campaign to help rebuild.