Residents try to jump from windows as fire engulfs Jerusalem residential complex

One man lightly injured after leaping from 1st floor, others suffer smoke inhalation; fire chief says buildings had risk factors that worsened severity of blaze

Dozens of people were rescued by firefighting teams on Tuesday morning after a massive blaze engulfed a residential building complex in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Romema.

According to Hebrew-language media reports, some residents tried to jump from buildings as flames spread from the fire, which started in a parking lot.

The Kan public broadcaster reported that one individual was lightly injured when he leapt from a second-floor window.

Additionally, a number of people suffered from mild smoke inhalation. The buildings were said to be home to dozens of families, many with children.

The regional fire service commander told Channel 12 news that the blaze could have been prevented or its severity reduced with a number of basic protocols.

“The fire we dealt with this morning had a large number of complex threat scenarios in the civilian urban space. Old buildings without modern means of protection, a high population density, residential apartments with makeshift storage areas and many other risks,” said Nissim Twito, commander of the Fire and Rescue Services in Jerusalem.

“Civil discipline and strict adherence to basic safety rules, as well as the installation of smoke detectors, are the best and most effective guarantee for preventing fires and reducing their damage,” Twito said.

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