JERUSALEM — A massive fire erupted late Wednesday night at the historic Sha’arei Tzedek hospital complex in downtown Jerusalem, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the night sky and triggering a high-level emergency response across the capital.
Emergency services, including dozens of firefighting crews, police units, and Magen David Adom paramedics, swarmed the area shortly after 11:00 p.m. as alarms sounded throughout the surrounding Nachlaot neighborhood. The fire, which reportedly originated in one of the older wings of the historic structure, quickly spread through the upper floors, threatening to engulf the landmark building.
Authorities immediately declared a “Level 4” incident, the highest grade of emergency, as firefighters struggled to navigate the narrow, winding streets that characterize the century-old neighborhood. Fire Chief Kobi Gaz told reporters at the scene that the primary focus was ensuring that all staff and remaining occupants had been evacuated safely.
“The structure is historic and presents significant challenges for our crews,” Gaz said during a brief press conference at the site. “Our top priority remains the protection of life and ensuring the fire does not leap to the adjacent residential buildings, which are packed tightly together.”
Witnesses near the scene described scenes of chaos as the sky turned a deep, hazy orange. Residents of nearby apartment buildings were advised by police to evacuate their homes as a precautionary measure due to the dense smoke and the potential risk of structural instability.
“I heard a loud crack, like glass breaking, and when I looked out my window, the top of the old building was already glowing,” said Yossi Cohen, a local resident. “Within minutes, the sirens were deafening. We were told to leave our houses immediately because of the fumes.”
The Sha’arei Tzedek building, one of Jerusalem’s most iconic historic landmarks, was originally established as a hospital in 1902 before the institution relocated to its current campus in the Bayit VeGan neighborhood in 1980. The historic complex has since been repurposed for various offices and community use, remaining a symbol of early 20th-century Jerusalem architecture.
As of 2:00 a.m., firefighters were reported to be gaining the upper hand, though the smell of burning wood and debris lingered for blocks. There have been no immediate reports of fatalities, though officials confirmed that at least three people were treated on-site for smoke inhalation.
Mayor Moshe Lion arrived at the scene shortly after midnight to coordinate the municipal response. An investigation into the cause of the blaze is expected to begin as soon as the area is declared safe, with fire investigators preliminarily looking into an electrical fault within the aging infrastructure of the building. Traffic in the center of the city remains heavily restricted as emergency vehicles continue to occupy the surrounding streets.
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