PHOTOS: Another Jerusalem Fire Caused By An Improperly Placed Menorah

(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Fire department officials blame this fire on poor unsafe placement of a menorah. The fire broke out on motzei Shabbos in an apartment building on Rina Nikuva Street in the Pisgat Ze’ev neighborhood of the capital.

The firefighters who had noticed the scene noticed a well-developed fire on the second floor of the building and thick black smoke that enveloped the entire building. As a result of the fire and the toxic and heavy smoke, many residents were trapped in the building and were in immediate danger of life.

The firefighters entered the burning building, which was suffused with smoke and heavy heat, and B’chasdei Hashem, firefighters succeeded in rescuing many trapped persons, including adults and children, extinguished the fire on the second floor, and prevented the fire from spreading to the entire building.

In addition, a number of residents who inhaled smoke and were injured as a result of the fire were treated by the United Hatzalah EMTs and paramedics and later evacuated to the hospital in light to moderate condition.

An investigation carried out by Jerusalem fire department officials shows that the fire started following the placing of the menorah in an unsafe manner, near the flammable materials, which eventually caused the large fire.

Reshef Roni Hazut, firefighting and rescue officer and a fire investigator who investigated the incident stated, “The fire yesterday in which several civilians were injured and a residential building was damaged, was caused by placing the menorah in an unsafe manner near furniture and flammable materials.

As a result, the fire from the Chanukah candles spread very quickly to the furniture and from there to the rest of the house and the building.

“This fire could easily have been avoided if the safety instructions for lighting and placing menorahs were followed.

“I can say with certainty that placing the menorah in an unsafe and proper manner, almost caused a great loss of life and property, and had it not been for the rapid and professional response of the firefighters, the event would have ended very badly.”

“I appeal to the public and ask to please keep all the fire safety instructions in mind, and follow the safety instructions when lighting Chanukah candles.

During Chanukah this year, we are witness to the fire and rescue of Israel responding to a large number of fires, some of them with casualties, all as a result of the lighting.”