A major blaze in the Yaad Chemicals plant in Yahud on erev Shabbos compelled officials to evacuate area residents from their homes erev Shabbos. Other residents were instructed to keep their windows closed.

Firefighting units arrived from neighboring municipalities, operating along with environmental affairs hazardous materials emergency units and MDA EMTs and paramedics.

The blaze began at 2:30PM Friday, and residents were permitted back into their homes at about 6:00PM, after candle lighting. Firefighters only declared the situation totally under control at about 4:30PM Shabbos afternoon.

Two firemen were lightly injured and firefighters succeeded in preventing the blaze from spreading to neighboring areas despite the ominous acrid black cloud that hovered overhead for hours.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)