The fire that broke out in an apartment building on Nachal Lachish Street in Beit Shemesh on Monday was caused by the explosion of a lithium ion battery from an electric bicycle.

According to fire inspectors, the explosion of the battery in an apartment started the fire that spread quickly. Fire inspectors explain the battery was left in the charger all night and this apparently led to the explosion. Inspectors also learned that an additional floor was added to the roof of the building illegally, and this prevented their efforts to ventilate the blaze. In addition, windows in stairwells intended to assist in ventilating a fire were sealed shut by tenants, a violation of the law.

8:48: Magen David Adom reports paramedics are transporting the two elderly victims to Shaare Zedek Hospital, both in moderate condition with stab wounds to their extremities and back.

8:51: A police spokesman explains five adults were walking by the promenade when two masked Arabs attacked them. Two women, in their 70s, were transported to the hospital in moderate condition with stab wounds. A large police force is involved in the manhunt for the two terrorists. Checkpoints have been set up in the area.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)