A sudden blaze broke out at the kever of Harav Elimelech of Lizhensk in the city of Lizhensk, Poland, after gas-filled balloons unexpectedly exploded while a large group of visiting students was present.

According to local reports, approximately 300 girls were gathered at the site for an educational tour when several decorative balloons ignited without warning, triggering what witnesses described as a burst of flames and a moment of panic. The fire spread quickly enough to alarm the crowd but was contained shortly after by emergency responders, who arrived within minutes.

Officials noted that the blaze caused damage to a nearby guest lodging structure, often used by visitors who travel to the area throughout the year. Despite the size of the group and the intensity of the initial explosion, b’chasdei Hashem no injuries were reported and no damage to the kever itself was apparent.

The incident comes just weeks before the yahrtzeit of Harav Elimelech on 21 Adar, when mass crowds travel to his kever, filling the area with thousands who come from across the world to daven at the resting place of the revered tzaddik. Preparations for the annual influx of visitors were already underway when the fire occurred.

Authorities are continuing to assess the structural damage, and local organizers said they expect repairs to be carried out swiftly to ensure the site is ready for the large gatherings anticipated in the coming days.