A fire broke out Friday morning in a residential building for students at a yeshiva near Tzemach Tzedek Street in Beitar Illit.
Firefighters from the Judea region were called to the scene and worked to extinguish the flames and search for any trapped individuals.
Fortunately, all the students were either outside the building or managed to escape before the fire took hold. No injuries were reported, but significant damage was caused to the temporary structure used for the students' accommodation.
Fireman officer Kobi Erez, the Fire and Rescue Service's shift commander, said: "We arrived with reinforcements due to the large number of students and the lack of water sources in the area. Upon arrival, we identified thick smoke and acted quickly. The building was completely damaged, and there is a risk of it collapsing."
The Fire and Rescue Services launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
The investigation conducted at the scene reveals that a blanket belonging to one of the students fell onto a coil heater while he slept, igniting the fire.
Fire Investigator Shimon Almakayes, stated: "We were a step away from a disaster. This was a room where yeshiva students were sleeping, and had they not woken up to the noise of the fire, the event could have ended differently."
"Coil heaters are a major danger, and we repeatedly encounter fires as a result of their use," he warned. "To save lives, I recommend using only safe heating methods: air conditioners, radiators, and central heating. Additionally, smoke detectors should be installed, and preparations should be made for every scenario. In case of a fire, call 102 for the firefighters."