An early morning explosion and massive fire in Upstate NY injured 14 Yeshiva Bochrim – 3 of them with serious burns.
Kiryas Yoel Hatzolah and the Fire Department received multiple calls just after midnight reporting a gas explosion at Quaker Hill Cottages located at 60 Cromwell Road in Monroe NY – just outside of Kiryas Yoel.
Multiple victims were being pulled out of the burning structure as Hatzolah arrived. Three were in critical condition, with one being airlifted to Westchester Trauma Center. At least 11 others suffered non life threatening injuries.
The chopper transporting one of the victims identified him as an 18-year-old male, and stated that the occupants of the bungalow smelled gas and minutes later the structure exploded. He is reported to have serious burns on his hands and legs.
YWN has confirmed that Novaminsk Yeshiva in Boro Park had rented out the facility for Shabbos.
Names for Tehillim are:
יהושע בן יסקה, אליעזר בן ברכה , חיים ברוך בן מרים עיידל, מאיר דוד בן חי לאה.
Ambulances from New Square and Monsey Hatzolah were dispatched to Kiryas Yoel to cover their calls as most of their ambulances were at the scene of the fire.
As of Friday morning, most of the Bochrim were discharged from the hospital. The boys with the serious burns will likely remain hospitalized for a few days and are expected to make a full recovery.
One person who treated the injured on the scene told YWN “Every Bochur had a מלאך watching over him, as this was נסים גלויים”.
Vini Tankasali, Department Commissioner of Emergency Services for Orange County, told NBC News that eight fire departments were able to put out the blaze in about 40 minutes. He said the fire was in a non-fire-hydrant area so other departments were called in for water.
A witness at the scene said the explosions was so powerful he felt in a nearby bungalow.
(Chaim Shapiro – YWN)
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Update 4.30 am
The explosion was caused by a gas leak from a stove. All the Bochurim were able to get out on their own BEFORE Hatzolo arrived. The bungalow was destroyed.
4 Bochurim were admitted to Westchester Hospital with NON LIFE THREATENING burns. An additional 8 Bochurim were all treated for minor injuries & are in the process of being released from hospital.
All Bochurim are on their way back home. Lakewood should arrive around 4.45am & Brooklyn at about 5 am.
Please say Tehillim for:
Yehoshua Ben Yiska
Eliezer Ben brocho
Chaim Boruch Ben Miriam Aidel
Besuros Tovos is”h
Update 4.30 am
The explosion was caused by a gas leak from a stove. All the Bochurim were able to get out on their own BEFORE Hatzolo arrived. The bungalow was destroyed.
4 Bochurim were admitted to Westchester Hospital with NON LIFE THREATENING burns. An additional 8 Bochurim were all treated for minor injuries & are in the process of being released from hospital.
All Bochurim are on their way back home. Lakewood should arrive around 4.45am & Brooklyn at about 5 am.
Please say Tehillim for:
Yehoshua Ben Yiska
Eliezer Ben brocho
Chaim Boruch Ben Miriam Aidel
Meir Dovid Ben Chaya Leah
Besuros Tovos is”h
From Rabbi Lipa Brennan
Please adjust yous story to match the facts. There is no need to cause panic where it is not due.
Please report thr TRUE facts not FAKE NEWS.
Thankyou
B”H
Update Friday 1.00 pm
12th grade students of Yeshivas Novominsk were on an end of year trip in up-state New York
The explosion was caused by a gas leak from a stove in one of the units they were staying in. All the students were able to get out on their own BEFORE emergency services arrived. The bungalow was destroyed.
4 students were admitted to Westchester Hospital with NON LIFE THREATENING burns. All are expected to make a full recovery.
An additional 8 students were transported to a local hospital, treated for minor injuries & were released from hospital. All students are now back home in Brooklyn & Lakewood. The weekend was canceled .
The 4 students hospitalized are all age 18.
Emergency services including Hatzolo, Chaverim & the various fire depts are to be commended for their swift response & professionalism in avoiding more serious injuries & loss of property.
Please say Tehillim for a speedy recovery for:
Yehoshua Ben Yiska
Eliezer Ben brocho
Chaim Boruch Ben Miriam Aidel
Meir Dovid Ben Chaya Leah
Rabbi Lipa Brennan
Executive Director
Yeshivas Novominsk
Brooklyn NY
[email protected]
One of the students has now left the hospital & will be home for Shabbos.
Another will hopefully be going home Monday iy”h.
Rabbi Brennan