A major fire broke out at the Strauss and Tapugan facilities in the Sha'ar HaNegev industrial zone near Sderot, prompting a large emergency response. Twenty-five firefighting crews and two aircraft worked to contain the blaze. Residents of Sderot's Music neighborhood were initially asked to stay indoors over concerns of a hazardous material leak, but officials later ruled out that danger. No injuries have been reported, and the cause is under investigation.
Firefighters have contained the blaze at the Strauss and Tapugan facilities in the Sha'ar HaNegev industrial zone near Sderot, with no injuries reported. The fire, which broke out Monday morning, sent thick black smoke over the area and prompted a large emergency response involving 25 firefighting crews and two aircraft.
The incident escalated rapidly. At 09:56 Jerusalem, the Sderot municipality ordered residents of the Music neighborhood to remain indoors and close windows over concerns of a hazardous materials leak. Within minutes, the entire industrial zone was evacuated as an ammonia leak was confirmed. By 11:08 Jerusalem, N12 reported that workers had been evacuated, and at 11:09 Jerusalem, i24NEWS reported that police had ruled out any hazardous material leak. The Strauss company stated that the affected warehouse contained no hazardous materials and that its nearby snack-production plant was not impacted, with production continuing normally.
The fire was contained without injuries, and no broader restrictions remain in effect. Police sealed off the complex and diverted traffic. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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