Firefighters battle blaze in Ramat Gan building

Firefighters on Monday afternoon battled a large blaze in an apartment building in Ramat Gan, rescuing all the residents from the flames without any injuries, forces at the scene said.

The fire, which engulfed 10 of the building’s 12 floors, produced heavy plumes of smoke that could be seen across the city. Those inside ran to the roof, whence they were evacuated by firefighters on ladders and cranes.

Flaming objects fell from the burning building, causing several cars to catch fire.

One bystander told Channel 2 that the fire began on one of the two bottom floors and then spread upward.

“I saw residents in the building shouting at the firefighters through the window,” said Roni, who works in an office building opposite the building.

Police warned drivers to stay away from the Ayalon Highway between the KKL and La Guardia interchanges.

Ramat Gan Mayor Yisrael Zinger, who arrived at the scene, told the news site Ynet, “We will take care of what is necessary. We will do everything, even if we need to find temporary housing.”