TZFAT, ISRAEL — A fire that broke out on Motzaei Yom Kippur caused extensive damage to a Tzfat center that houses Camp Gan Israel's day camp and year-round programs serving local children and at-risk youth.

According to the organization, approximately one-third of the campus was destroyed in the blaze, while other areas sustained significant smoke and toxic-fume damage. Offices, computers, doors, electrical systems and other infrastructure were among the property damaged.

The center serves more than 100 children throughout the year, providing classes, activities and other programming for children from a range of backgrounds in Tzfat.

The programs are led by Rabbi Shamai Gozlan, who established the local Gan Israel day camp during the COVID-19 period after seeing children in the community left without their usual schools, camps and support systems.

Organizers said several religious items remarkably survived the blaze, including Sifrei Tanya and mezuzos. A picture of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, a picture depicting the Beis HaMikdash and the Camp Gan Israel flag were also reported to have survived despite the extensive damage surrounding them.

The organization has begun efforts to repair the damaged facility and restore its programming for local children and teenagers.