Hatzolah dispatchers received complaints of “burning eyes” and a “sharp odor in the air” shortly before 7:00pm on Tuesday night. Responders traced the incident to a gas leak on Rabbi Akiva Street in Betar Illit, resulting in the evacuation of dozens of people from the area.

After the fire department responded, it was determined the gas was not cooking gas, but a different kind from a source that was unknown, prompting the decision to evacuate persons in the immediate area and declare a hazardous materials incident.

Hatzolah volunteers used their private vehicles to transport residents out of the area. A chalaka (upsheirin) that was taking place in the area was cut short too, due to the situation.

Hatzolah volunteer Moshe Revach, who is quoted by Ladaat, explains some of the victims complained of “difficulty breathing” from the toxic fumes. Others complained their eyes burned and others complained of a burning sensation in their respiratory passages.

While the situation was brought under control, and residents permitted to return home, reports do not indicate what the source of the gas was. There were no reports of anyone requiring transportation to a hospital Baruch Hashem.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)