Dozens Injured in Bnei Brak Nursing Home Fire, Two Critical

Twenty-four people were injured early Thursday morning in a fire that broke out at a nursing home on Amram Gaon Street in Bnei Brak. Two individuals sustained critical injuries, four were moderately injured, and 18 suffered minor injuries, according to Magen David Adom (MDA).

Approximately 40 residents were evacuated from the building. The two critically injured are a 65-year-old man and an approximately 80-year-old man, both suffering from second-degree burns across their bodies. They were transported to the hospital under sedation and on ventilators. Among the moderately injured were a 75-year-old woman, two men aged approximately 50 and 80, and a 73-year-old woman. Several others were injured from smoke inhalation.

MDA paramedics described the scene as "very difficult," with extensive resources deployed, including rapid response vehicles, ambulances, and intensive care units. They treated numerous casualties before transporting them to Tel Hashomer's Sheba Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, and Ichilov Hospital.

The fire reportedly started in an apartment on the first floor of the eight-story building. Fire and rescue teams from Bnei Brak and Ramat Gan stations responded, extinguished the blaze, and conducted searches for trapped individuals. Firefighters rescued residents from the burning apartment and evacuated dozens more from the building.

A fire investigator has been called to the scene to determine the cause of the fire. The building houses a nursing home.