Firefighters from the Judea regional fire station were mobilized on Friday night to combat a blaze that erupted at a shul on Rechov Rabi Akiva in Beitar Illit.
The fire also spread to an adjacent apartment, resulting in significant damage to the premises.
Efforts by the firefighters proved successful in gaining control over both fires, preventing further escalation.
Describing the situation, firefighter Lihai Ben Lulu recounted, “Around midnight, we received a distress call reporting a building engulfed in flames on Rabbi Akiva Street. We swiftly responded to the scene with a sizable team. Upon arrival, we encountered a synagogue ablaze, situated next to a residential unit also engulfed in fire.”
“The flames had reached considerable heights, posing a risk of spreading to neighboring apartments. Our immediate priority was to douse the flames while conducting a thorough search for any individuals trapped inside. Meanwhile, another team ascended to higher floors, instructing residents to stay indoors and aiding in controlling the blaze and ventilating the area. After extinguishing the fire, we conducted a final sweep to ensure no one was left behind.”
Firefighter Tamir Erez, commanding officer of the fire station, highlighted the incident in Beitar Illit, urging the public to prioritize fire safety measures. He emphasized, “Just last Thursday, another fire wreaked havoc in Beitar Illit, resulting in substantial property damage but thankfully no loss of life. Once again, thanks to the swift response of our firefighters, lives were spared. I implore everyone to install fire detectors – they can make all the difference in saving lives.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
