A devastating fire swept through an apartment building in Netanya on Tuesday, claiming the lives of two residents in their 80s and leaving at least nine others injured in scenes of chaos and thick smoke.

The elderly man and woman were pulled from their burning home in critical condition. Emergency responders performed CPR at the scene before rushing them to Laniado Hospital, where medical teams worked tirelessly to save them. Despite sustained resuscitation efforts, both were later pronounced dead.

Nine additional residents were evacuated with injuries ranging from serious to light, including a 73-year-old woman suffering severe smoke inhalation, a 42-year-old woman in moderate condition, and seven others, among them two toddlers.

As casualties streamed in, Laniado Hospital declared a limited mass casualty incident in its Emergency Department. Yet what makes the response even more extraordinary is that hospital staff were simultaneously managing a secondary fire-related incident within the hospital itself.

Despite the immense pressure, Laniado’s doctors, nurses and emergency personnel acted with speed, precision and unwavering professionalism. Teams coordinated triage, stabilised patients and ensured continuity of care without disruption. The ability to respond decisively to two unfolding emergencies at once stands as a powerful testament to the dedication, preparedness and resilience of the hospital’s staff.

Firefighters worked under heavy smoke to rescue trapped residents and contain the blaze, which investigators believe was likely caused by candles left burning unattended.

In a night marked by tragedy, the extraordinary efforts of Laniado’s emergency teams ensured that many more lives were protected.