Firefighters Rescued Torah Scrolls from Burning Synagogue in Mea Shearim, Jerusalem

A massive fire broke out on Wednesday in a synagogue building on Shearei Pina Street in the Mea Shearim neighborhood in Jerusalem, and firefighters rescued several Torah scrolls from it that were significantly damaged, with no reports of people trapped.

A massive fire, exceptional in its size, broke out on Wednesday in a synagogue building on Shearei Pina Street in the Mea Shearim neighborhood in Jerusalem. Dozens of emergency and rescue personnel rushed to the scene to rule out people trapped and provide assistance if needed.

In footage from the scene, intense flames are seen licking the roof and outer walls of the building, and a dense gray and black smoke cloud rose for distances. According to the report, at this point it is unclear what led to the fire.

No people were reported trapped, but several Torah scrolls were damaged significantly and rescued by firefighters when their condition was 'not easy.' Fire Service Commander, National Chief, Sergeant Major Shay Nechemia, said: 'Firefighters worked with determination in the developed fire in the temporary structure and conducted rapid sweeps that ruled out people trapped. During the operations the crews rescued several Torah scrolls from the fire.'

Magen David Adom and Fire and Rescue for Israel stated that enhanced forces of firefighters from the National Home Fire Station were deployed to the scene and identified a very developed fire in the building. Police stated that police officers from the Jerusalem District are working alongside the firefighters to ensure evacuation of all residents from the building and direct traffic, and the public was asked to avoid coming to the area.