A woman believed to be around 60 died Sunday after firefighters rescued her from a burning two-story home in Mas’ada, a village in Israel’s Golan Heights. The fire had reportedly been burning for approximately an hour before she was pulled from the building, according to Israel’s Fire and Rescue Authority.

When firefighters arrived, they found smoke pouring out of the house and were informed that someone might still be trapped inside.

Crews entered the smoke-filled residence and discovered the woman unconscious and in critical condition. After carrying her outside, firefighters attempted resuscitation until Magen David Adom (MDA) medical teams arrived. Paramedics subsequently pronounced her dead at the scene.

Fire Officials Stress Importance of Smoke Detectors

Galilee-Golan District Deputy Fire Chief Eli Mor described the emergency response and renewed his call for households to install smoke detectors.

“The team rushed to the scene following a report received directly from a citizen regarding a fire and a concern that someone was trapped inside a house in the village,” Mor said. “The team entered the smoke-filled structure and rescued a woman in critical condition. The firefighters performed resuscitation efforts until medical personnel arrived.”

“I reiterate the crucial importance of installing smoke detectors in homes to provide early warning of a fire and save lives.”

Following the fatal incident, the Northern District Commander ordered a dedicated investigative team from the Fire and Rescue Authority to determine how the fire started and establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.