A huge fire broke out early Sunday morning on Bar Yehuda Road in Haifa. Buildings are on fire and much damage was done to property. Control has not yet been achieved. Large fire and rescue forces are operating at the scene. The public is called upon to shut themselves up in homes.
The first report was received at 4:41 a.m .: Firefighters from the Haifa station under the command of Deputy Tafsar Yitzhak Suissa, commander of the Haifa station, have been working in a significant and large fire for several buildings in an industrial and logistics complex containing hazardous materials and are close to residential buildings on Bar Yehuda Street in Haifa.
Report from 4:55 a.m .: There is evidence of explosions from the fire, currently firefighters are operating outside the compound to contain the spread of the fire. Three people were rescued from their homes in an incident at Bar Yehuda in Haifa after not waking up from the fire. Currently the fire does not affect civilians in residential buildings, we will continue to update as far as we know details. Additional teams from across the county and neighboring counties are on their way to assist fighters in the incident.
6:38 a.m .: Hof Tafser District Commander Hezi Levy commands the fire incident on Bar Yehuda Road in Haifa and updates that there is still no control of the fire. Firefighters who are working hard and determinedly in a number of sectors have so far managed to stop the spread of the fire and are now preparing to infiltrate a number of burning structures in order to save property. There are a number of buildings and hangars that have collapsed and the fire extinguisher in them will be concentrated from the outside with the help of a shovel. Crews are expected to remain in the area for many more hours until final control and shutdown is achieved.
Reported at 7:21 a.m .: Following the fire on Bar Yehuda Road in Haifa, the Fire and Rescue Commissioner for Israel, Rabbi Tafser Eyal Caspi arrived to visit the firefighters from the coastal district who have been working for nearly four hours in front of thick smoke, high intensity fire and dangerous explosions from the burning area.
Although firefighters have currently managed to achieve a decline in the intensity of the fire, event commander Hezi Levy has not yet reported that the fire is under control and there are still fears of renewal and intensification of fire at the site as well as the collapse of hangars and other buildings burning in the area.
8:47 a.m .: Haifa police officers, working at the moment with the fire brigade on Bar Yehuda Road in Haifa, following a fire in a nearby factory. Commander of the Carmel area, Deputy Chief of Staff Established. Meanwhile, there are a number of fire engines and heavy smoke. As a result of the fire, the bridge leading to Electricity Street was blocked to traffic and residents living in the area were instructed to close the windows and stay in their homes. The traffic police of the Israel Police direct the traffic on the spot and ask the drivers to obey the instructions and recommendations for traffic on alternative routes.
9:10 a.m .: City Hall calls for windows to close due to concerns about asbestos. “The bridge leading to Electricity Street was blocked to traffic and residents living in the area were instructed to close the windows due to fears of the invention of asbestos particles – messages are sent to residents of the area.”
Report from 9:38 a.m .: The Ministry of Environmental Protection is calling on the public near the fire to lock themselves in homes. The Ministry of Environmental Protection: “Following the fire in warehouses in an industrial area in Haifa, which also involved the burning of asbestos roofs over a large area, the Ministry of Environmental Protection recommended to the police, which is conducting the incident, the closure of houses in the first line of proximity to the fire.” Although at this stage, the wind direction is not turning to residential neighborhoods. “