Two killed in blaze at central Israel fireworks warehouse

Two people were killed and two others injured on Tuesday in a fire at an illegal fireworks warehouse in central Israel, authorities said.

The victims were identified as Anas Abu Abed, 17, and Amir Takrouri, 24, of Qalansawe, near Netanya. Both were employees of the facility, located near the Tel Aviv-area town of Porat.

The warehouse was reportedly operating without a business license, and also lacked a permit from the fire department.

The warehouse manager was detained by police for questioning.

Magen David Adom said two people were hospitalized, one in serious condition and the other in light condition.

Several others were treated by paramedics at the scene.

The magnitude of the flames, and the secondary blasts as the fireworks exploded, caused a number of adjacent houses to catch fire, and 21 teams of firefighters were deployed to the scene.

It was not immediately clear how the fire started.

Police, security forces, and MDA rescue service members evacuated citizens from the area, and others were told to close their windows and stay indoors.

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