Fire Erupts at Factories in Sderot Industrial Zone, Ammonia Leak Ruled Out

A fire broke out simultaneously at two factories in the industrial area of Sderot, Israel, specifically at Strauss and Tapogen facilities. Initial concerns about an ammonia leak were dismissed after thorough checks by emergency teams. Firefighters are actively battling the blaze, with 25 teams involved, including inter-district support, focusing on preventing the fire from spreading to hazardous material storage areas within the factories.

The factories were evacuated as a precaution. Magen David Adom reported three minor injuries: one person suffered from smoke inhalation, and two others were likely injured during evacuation. Police have blocked nearby roads to restrict access to the scene. Strauss confirmed that the fire started in a warehouse area near their salty snacks storage at the Sha'ar HaNegev industrial zone, with no casualties reported.

Authorities continue monitoring the site to ensure no involvement of hazardous materials and to contain the fire. This incident coincides with severe wildfires in France near Bordeaux, where over 220,000 people have been evacuated. Israeli emergency services emphasized that no chemical substances were involved in the Sderot fire.

The response highlights coordinated efforts to manage industrial fires and protect public safety in the region.