Three Israeli heroes are fighting for their lives after rushing into a burning Jerusalem girls’ seminary Monday morning.

A fire broke out in the early morning hours at the top floor of the David Yellin Street boarding school, where dozens of girls were trapped inside the smoke-filled building. Fire and Rescue teams arrived to find flames engulfing the upper level, with civilian rescuers already working to guide students to safety.

United Hatzalah medical teams quickly established a triage area, and police sealed off surrounding streets as firefighters worked to contain the rapidly spreading fire. Within an hour, fire commanders announced they had gained control of the fire.

It could have been much worse if not for some quick-thinking heroes. Before emergency crews could arrive, three men aged 18 to 25 charged headfirst into the flames to begin evacuating students, part of a total of 38 people injured in the fire. By day’s end, ambulances had rushed 14 girls to nearby hospitals while medics treated many others right outside the seminary. Thankfully no fatalities have been reported.

“This was a large and significant incident with many casualties,” said Capt. Shmulik Friedman, commander of Jerusalem’s Fire and Rescue Service. “The firefighters acted with great courage and determination to save dozens of trapped students.”

Jerusalem authorities have since launched a joint police and fire service investigation. Initial findings from Israel’s public broadcaster KAN News suggest an electrical short-circuit may have triggered the devastating fire.

Image - Israel National Fire & Rescue Authority