(VIDEOS AND PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

A large forest fire that burned out of control in the Beit Shemesh District on Wednesday, 9 Sivan, spread to a shul in the city R”L. The fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon, spreading to Nachal Oriyah Street in Ramat Beit Shemesh.

As a result, caravans ignited, one of which serves as a shul, resulting in heavy damage as seen in the accompanying photos and videos.

Shul officials Yerucham Ostreicher told the news, “It was a miracle that we managed to get the Sifrei Torah out in time. They were undamaged but unfortunately, we cannot say this for the remainder of the shul. One of the Sifrei Torah, which got wet, was opened along a long row of tables, to permit it to dry out”.

Jerusalem District Fire Chief Moshe Sussia explains trucks from the capital were summoned to assist in the fire, which was spreading quickly due to the unseasonably hot and dry conditions. Sussia adds, “We did the best possible to prevent the spread of the blaze, working under difficult conditions.” Sussia calls on the tzibur to take great care when extinguishing camp fires and simply just throwing a match, as in hot dry conditions as we are experiencing today, these can lead to major fires.

Ground and aerial firefighting forces were involved in bringing the fire under control. Residents of area buildings were evacuated from their homes until the fire was declared ‘under control’.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)