Chemical blaze near Tel Aviv contained

Firefighters were able to contain the chemical blaze raging in the central Israel town of Yahud Friday, thereby enabling evacuated residents to return home. 

Two firefighters were lightly wounded while battling the blaze and were taken to hospital for treatment. Friday afternoon, the Fire Department said that the blaze was expected to persist for several hours, but stressed that there is no fear it will spread into residential areas.

Earlier Friday, a large chemical fire raged in the Yaad Chemicals plant in the Yahud industrial zone. Massive firefighting teams were dispatch to the area from the sorrounding cities of Herzliya, Givataim, Rishon Lezion, Ramla, Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan in an effort to extinguish the flames.

Environmental Protection Ministry teams and Magen David Adom emergency services paramedics rushed to the area as well.

At one point, the Yahud Municipality ordered residents within a 300-yard radius of the area to evacuate pending the fire's containment. Residents of the entire area have been instructed to keep all windows closed and to stay indoors pending further notice.

Photo courtesy of Tal Michael

The reason for the fire has yet to be determined. Eyewitness reports said that the flames and smoke could be seen from miles away and that occasional explosion sounds emanated from the area as well.

The plant and the factories surrounding it contain various hazardous materials. Firefighters at the scene were equipped with special gear and hazmat suits, accordingly. Colonel Menachem Caspi, head of the Fire and Rescue Services' Hazardous Materials Unit is present at the scene.

Oren Shishitzky, a spokesmen for the Petach Tikva Fire Department, told Ynet that "the fire produces thick smoke which is visible for miles. Since there is an actual concern of toxic smoke, we are doing everything we can to contain the fire as quickly as possible."

Avi Cohen contributed to this report