Netanya building explosion: dozens injured
Friday, 17 June 2011 08:22
Haaretz reported, that at least four people were killed and 50 people were injured in an explosion a few hours ago, in a residential building, located in downtown of Netanya. Although all the circumstances of the explosion has set, previously reported, that the explosion occurred as a result of gas leaks in the building, located on the Herzl Street near Independence Square in the city of Netanya, in an area that many tourists visit.
Note, that the Israeli city of Netanya- is the largest resort on the Mediterranean coast. In the city of Netanya there are 11 hotels and 9 beaches with a total length of 13.5 km. Netanya is located in the central part of the Sharon Valley, about 30 km north of Tel Aviv and 50 kilometers south of Haifa. Along the length of the beach zone, Netanya surpasses all other cities in Israel. Also in Netanya is one of the largest centers of the diamond industry in Israel.
Israeli police spokesman Alex Kagalsky said, that the main cause of explosion in Netanya is the explosion of gas, which boomed in the first floor, where located the restaurant. Rescuers arrived on the scene, quickly extinguished the fire arose in the building and organized a search and rescue surviving of tenants, but it is assumed, that under the rubble of the building can still be dozens of people.
Although as a cause of the explosion and assumed leakage of gas, which occurred as a result of careless handling of gas appliances, but, according to Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post, Netanya police also suspects in this crime man, who was previously detained in the building on Thursday at attempt to dismantle the gas pipes. While under investigation, and to speak only on the preliminary versions of what happened.
According to statistics, in most cases, the cause of gas explosions are carelessness and negligence in dealing with gas and lack of elementary safety rules. Explosive of air-gas mixtures are often formed as a result of failure of gas equipment. It is therefore necessary to carry out periodic maintenance works and now the police Netanya check the frequency of preventive work in the this building.
Previously found, that the accomodation in Netanya building, where the explosion occurred, had a very small windows, which could theoretical lead to an explosion of gas by negligence, and not the result of deliberate action.
If in a building with a small area of windows, as a result of negligence, there is an outflow of gas in the air of this room there will stoichiometric mixture of natural gas with air (about 10%) and if more happens on the ignition of the mixture of gas, pressure can reach more than 0.8 MPa, while the force on the floor of the building intercommunication can reach such values, that overlap and walls will be destroyed, and are above constructions will be raised, and then came down, that is totally could collapse part of a building, there was an explosion of gas.
If in the accomodation in Netanya building was the window of sufficient size, that would have destroyed a small increase of gas pressure, then in this case has not risen to a level of gas pressure, that can destroy the floor and walls of building.
Note, that Israel's building codes regulate the size of windows and the thickness of the glass in rooms with gas equipment. In particular, the window must have a thickness of glass in them, up to 5 mm and square of windows at least 1.5 m2, and wired glass can not generally be used in these rooms with gas equipment.
Now, the Netanya police checks gas system for the presence of intentional damage. The police are expected to interrogate the gas company employees today on suspicision of negligence.
Big rescue teams evacuated the injured to hospitals in Netanya, Hadera and Kfar Saba.