Major Fire Engulfs Elderly Care Facility in Bnei Brak, Dozens Injured

A large fire broke out overnight between Wednesday and Thursday at the "Meshenot Vatikim" nursing home on Amram Gaon Street in Bnei Brak, Israel. Twenty-four residents were injured and evacuated to hospitals, including two men, aged 65 and 80, in serious and unstable condition. The blaze, which started in an apartment on the first floor of the eight-story building, necessitated the immediate evacuation of approximately forty residents.

Firefighting and rescue teams from Ramat Gan and Bnei Brak responded to the scene. They worked to extinguish the flames and conducted extensive searches of the building. Six residents were found trapped inside the burning apartment and were rescued. Paramedics from various organizations, including Hatzalah, MDA, and United Hatzalah, treated the injured on-site. The two critically injured residents, suffering from second-degree burns to their upper bodies, were sedated, intubated, and transported to Sheba Medical Center at Tel HaShomer.

In addition to the two seriously injured, four residents were evacuated in moderate condition, and eighteen in mild condition, mostly due to smoke inhalation. The remaining injured were distributed among Beilinson, Ichilov, and Mayanei Hayeshua hospitals. Responders described a difficult scene requiring a large mobilization of emergency services.

United Hatzalah's Bnei Brak branch chief, Afi Feldman, stated that the nursing home's location in a densely populated area and the potential for many trapped individuals required a rapid and broad response. He thanked the dozens of volunteers who left their families during the holiday night to assist in the rescue, treatment, and evacuation efforts.