(VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

A Menorah caused a fire in Ashdod on Tuesday night – the eighth night of Chanukah.

According to information released to YWN by the Fire Department, multiple calls were received by the dispatcher reporting a fire in an apartment on Amorayim Street.

When the fire crews arrived on the scene, firefighters located the fire which was in the dining room of the home. It was quickly extinguished.

The dining room table was on fire, after an unattended menorah had fallen over and started the fire.

Thankfully, there were no injuries reported, and the damage was minimal.

On Monday night, the Lakewood NJ Fire Department responded to a Menorah fire in a home after the plastic table caught fire.

The Lakewood fire was just hours after a fire in Flatbush took the life of a mother and three children – also caused by a menorah.

There have been multiple Menorah fires so far this Chanukah. YWN reported on at least three other fires in Israel, and two in Manchester, UK.

YWN published the following safety tips – which have been published by YWN every single year before Chanukah for the past 13 years:

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING FIRE SAFETY TIPS:

WHEN LIGHTING THE MONORAH:

• NEVER leave Chanukah candles unattended and NEVER go to sleep while Chanukah candles are burning

• Place the menorah on a sturdy heat resistant surface away from anything that can catch fire including walls, curtains, cabinets, wooden and plastic tables, tablecloths…

• Light the candles out of children’s reach and where they cannot be knocked over!

• Keep surfaces and surrounding areas clear from burned matches, wick trimmings, oil residue, and other debris

• NEVER light “school project” menorahs made from flammable materials (wood, plastic, etc.)

WHEN COOKING LATKES:

• Keep small children away from hot oil and cooking areas

• Keep pot handles turned inward and away from the edge of the stove

• Use extra caution when carrying hot food around children

• Designate ovens, stoves and heat containing appliances as NO GO ZONES for children

• Keep hands, hair and sleeves away from open flame

• NEVER put water on a grease fire, use a fire extinguisher and call the Fire Dept. emergency number

• Treat burns immediately by cooling with cool water (not cold) and call your local emergency response number

ALWAYS REMEMBER:

• Supervise children at all times, especially around lit candles, flames, and hot appliances

• Have working smoke detectors

• Have/ and practice a family fire emergency escape plan with a designated family meeting area outside of your house

• Proper fire safety planning and prevention can help keep you and your family safe

For more tips on fire safety for the Jewish community or to bring this program to your community, visit the Maccabee Aish website at www.jewishfireprevention.org

(Chaim Shapiro – YWN)