[PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

5:19PM IL: HaMasger Street in Netanya remains closed as the evening rush hour gets underway in Israel, the result of the fire that erupted in a paint factory in that area on Monday, 3 Shevat 5773.

The blaze began at about 3:15PM local time and there has since been a major fuel explosion, apparently triggered by the paint factory blaze, resulting in the fire continuing to burn out of control as black possibly toxic smoke bellows into the area. The incident is officially “out of control” at this time.

The immediate area in proximity of the fire has been evacuated by the fire department fearing the toxic fumes may pose a health hazard or worse.

Magen David Adom and Ichud (United) Hatzalah are standing by on the scene as firefighters and HazMat teams work to bring the blaze under control while constantly evaluating the toxic threat to the immediate area.

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos by חדשות 24.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)