Tragedy in Geula: Four-Year Old Dies in Apartment Building Fire

After a long and exhausting search in a building ravaged by fire, a four-year-old girl who had been missing for hours was finally found by rescuers—but, tragically, no longer alive.

The fire broke out in a six-storey, residential building in the Geula section of Yerushalayim late Thursday afternoon and took until after dark to bring it under control.

Motti Reichman, of the motorcycle unit of Hatzalah, one of the first responders, said that when he arrived at the scene he knew that it would be difficult job, involving a laborious search and rescue operation for those who were trapped inside.

“I called for additional units to assist with the extraction of children and older people unable to get out. The rescue work was very hard, requiring real mesiras nefesh, because of the roof that nearly collapsed on us, and the raging fire.”

And in the end, the heartbreaking discovery of the child that they could not save.

At least three firefighting units were dispatched to the scene, at Rechov Avraham Talmud 17. As of 7:45 p.m., the fire had been brought under control, except for isolated spots.

The fire was on the fourth floor, and firefighters worked their way up from the lower floors, checking for anyone who might be trapped. As they did so, the roof collapsed, adding to the danger.

At first, four people were feared trapped in the fire. B’chasdei shamayim, three were located outside the building, to where they had escaped on their own; and one elderly woman was helped out of the building and given first aid.