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A fire broke out Tuesday morning in a nine-story residential building on Konditon Street in Ashkelon, prompting a large emergency response and sending eleven people to hospital with smoke inhalation injuries, according to Magen David Adom (MDA).
Emergency services were alerted shortly after the blaze was reported, with firefighters rushing to the scene to battle the flames and evacuate residents from the smoke-filled structure. Thick smoke spread through several floors, raising concern for those trapped inside apartments.
MDA said its medical teams treated eleven individuals at the scene before transferring them to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon. Among the injured were a 34-year-old woman and two children, both around three years old, who were listed in moderate condition.
Eight other victims were reported to be in mild condition after inhaling smoke. Paramedics administered oxygen, conducted medical assessments, and remained on standby as firefighting efforts continued and residents were accounted for.
“MDA teams operated alongside firefighters to ensure anyone exposed to smoke received immediate care,” the emergency service said in a statement. No fatalities were reported, and the cause of the fire had not been officially confirmed by authorities by midday.
Residents of the building described moments of confusion and fear as alarms sounded and smoke filled stairwells. Several families reportedly escaped their apartments with little more than the clothes they were wearing, as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
The incident came as Ashkelon and other coastal cities remain on high alert due to severe weather conditions sweeping across Israel. Emergency authorities warned that the same storm system bringing heavy rain also increases the risk of dangerous flash floods.
The Fire and Rescue Authority previously reported that in November, firefighters in Ashkelon rescued approximately eight civilians whose cars were trapped by floodwaters across the city following intense overnight rainfall.
According to meteorological services, Storm Byron is nearing its peak, with flood risks particularly high along the coastal plain and in low-lying urban areas. Ashkelon, due to its geography, is considered especially vulnerable during such weather events.
Strong winds are expected along the coast and in mountainous regions, while rainfall is forecast to gradually extend into southern areas, including the Negev. Authorities also issued flash flood warnings for the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea region.
Emergency officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, especially through flooded roads and underpasses. Drivers were warned that even shallow floodwaters can sweep vehicles away, creating life-threatening situations within seconds.
Municipal authorities in Ashkelon said crews were monitoring drainage systems and low-lying neighborhoods, while coordination between police, firefighters, and medical services remained at a heightened level.
“The combination of urban infrastructure, heavy rain, and strong winds requires constant vigilance,” an official from the Fire and Rescue Authority said, stressing the importance of public cooperation during extreme weather.
Residents affected by the fire were offered temporary assistance while damage assessments were carried out. Social services were also notified to provide support to families displaced by the incident.
As investigations into the cause of the apartment fire continue, emergency services reiterated safety guidance, urging the public to ensure functional smoke detectors at home and to follow weather-related warnings closely in the coming days.
With storm conditions expected to persist, authorities emphasized that preparedness and caution could prevent further injuries, as Ashkelon faces the combined challenges of fire emergencies and severe flooding risks.