Fire and rescue crews operated on the ground Wednesday to prevent a blaze from spreading to adjacent buildings, penetrating deep into a smoke-filled temporary structure to confirm that no individuals were trapped inside. After confirming there were no casualties, firefighters shifted their focus to salvaging Torah scrolls affected by the fire and completing final suppression operations at the primary ignition points.
Video: Hershy Perlmutter
The incident commander, HaUma Station Commander Deputy Fire Chief Shay Nehemiah, reported: “Firefighters acted with resolve to confront a fully developed fire within the temporary structure and performed rapid primary searches that ruled out any trapped occupants. During the operation, crews rescued several Torah scrolls from inside the flames. At this stage, we are concentrating efforts on final extinguishment, and the incident is nearing full containment.”
Fire and Rescue Service arson investigators are scheduled to launch an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the outbreak of the fire once complete operational control is established at the scene.