[VIDEO & PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

The smoke could be seen on Ben-Yehuda Street in downtown Yerushalayim on Sunday, 2 Rosh Chodesh Elul 5772 as a fire erupted in the Schneller complex in the heart of Geula during the early afternoon hours.

On Malchei Yisrael Street the smell of the blaze and acrid smoke bellowing from the site of the former IDF base was painfully visible as tens of thousands of pages of geniza went up in smoke immediately adjacent to the main Gur Beis Medrash. Officials reported 20 tons of geniza went up in flames as five fire teams worked to bring the blaze under control.

Baruch Hashem despite the annoying smoke and foul smell, there were no injuries.

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(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)