A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded Wednesday in Beitar Illit, where a 10-year-old boy lost his life after a fire in a dumpster near a residential building in Beitar Illit reportedly triggered an explosion, leaving the child with critical injuries and burns.

Emergency responders from ZAKA and Magen David Adom found the boy unconscious, not breathing and without a pulse. Paramedics immediately began life-saving treatment, including chest compressions, artificial ventilation, medication and efforts to stop bleeding. He was rushed to Hadassah-University Medical Center in Jerusalem’s Ein Kerem in critical condition as resuscitation efforts continued, but he was later pronounced dead.

The cause of the incident remains unclear. Initial suspicions are that children lit garbage on fire, possibly causing an aerosol can to explode. Authorities and emergency services are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

This article was independently written by the BJL Newsroom based on reporting from The Jerusalem Post.