Two people were killed this morning (Sunday) and 7 were injured, including three in serious condition, as a result of a fire that broke out in the youth hostel of the ‘Ali Sheikh’ association in the Pisgat Ze’ev neighborhood in Jerusalem. The association operates frameworks for people with disabilities in the religious and ultra-Orthodox sector.
In a preliminary investigation carried out at the scene with the participation of Fire and Rescue Commissioner Eyal Caspi and the Jerusalem District Commander, it emerged that the fire broke out in a private house that had been converted into a hostel where housemates lived, without the Fire and Rescue Authority being informed of this, and without fire protection arrangements having been installed as required – according to the Fire and Rescue Authority’s announcement.
The fire and rescue system reported that “the commissioner arrived at the scene of the incident, received an overview of the rescue efforts and followed closely the control of the fire by the fighters as well as the initial investigation to examine the cause of the fire. The investigation showed that the fire fighters arrived at the scene in a short time, attempted contact at their own risk, broke The locked front door and 9 trapped people were rescued from the fire for medical treatment, two of them perished in a short time. The commissioner praised the determination of the fighters who tried to make contact, acted professionally and prevented a more serious disaster.”
Damage from the fire at the hostel for people with disabilities in Jerusalem (Photo: Israel Fire and Rescue)
The fire broke out on the top floor of a 2-story residential building on Uri Brown Street. Magen David Adom paramedics arrived at the scene and determined the death of two men in their 30s, and evacuated 7 victims with burns and smoke inhalation to Shaare Zedek, Hadassah Ein Kerem and Mount Scopus hospitals. The MDA’s announcement from this morning stated that two of the injured were evacuated in serious condition, three in moderate condition and two in mild condition, but the condition of one of the injured has worsened and the number of seriously injured has increased to three.
The Hadassah Medical Center reported that four victims of the fire were evacuated to the two Hadassah hospitals. At Hadassah Mount Scopus, two victims are being treated in a serious condition, both suffering from smoke inhalation and burns and were breathed in the hospital; And at Hadassah Ein Kerem, two victims are being treated, one is breathing in a serious condition and the other is moderately conscious.”
The hostel that burned down in Jerusalem (photo: documentation of fire and rescue operations)
The police said: “A short time ago, a report was received at the Jerusalem police center about a fire in a residential building in the Pisgat Ze’ev neighborhood in Jerusalem. Police forces from the Sheft station were called to the scene along with the emergency and rescue services, and began operations to save lives, closing the scene and rescuing the occupants, treating the injured and extinguishing the fire. At this time the Sheft station police officers of the Jerusalem district are working at the scene, and have begun investigating the circumstances of the fire with the assistance of a fire and rescue flammability investigator.”
from the association ‘Ali Shih’ which operates the hostel stated: “The ‘Ali Sheik’ family is in pain and sorrow over the terrible disaster that occurred in the morning hours, in the ‘Ali Sheik’ apartment in Pisgat Ze’ev.
“Unfortunately, two of those who stayed in the apartment of ‘Ali Sheikh’ perished in the tragic incident. We stand by the bereaved families and the families of the injured and embrace them in their difficult time, and we will do everything in our power to support them and be by their side as much as necessary. In addition, we closely accompany the injured tenants who are hospitalized and take care for their well-being.
“The professional team of ‘Ali Sheikh’, which includes professionals from the field of mental and social care, provides emotional support to the residents of the apartment who were affected and to all the residents and guides and staff members in our communities throughout the country. We are aware that such a difficult event may leave a deep mark, and we will do everything possible to help For our residents to deal with its consequences.
“The ‘Ali Sheikh’ management is cooperating fully with the law enforcement authorities and the investigation, with the aim of understanding the circumstances that led to the disaster. In coordination with the authorities, we will carry out comprehensive inspections in all our settings, to ensure the safety and well-being of all tenants. The safety and well-being of the tenants are our top priority .
“The ‘Ali Sheikh’ family expresses its sincere condolences to the bereaved families and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.”
