The main IKEA branch in Israel burned to the ground yesterday, on Shabbos. They suspect, last I saw, an electrical fire from a short somewhere near the roof. They also suspect arson. I guess a building filled with wood doesn't stand a chance in such a fire.

This is a terrible tragedy. For the company due to the total destruction. For the employees due to the uncertainty, though they are confident right now that IKEA will take care of them, and IKEA says they plan on finishing to rebuild with half a year to a year. For the Israeli consumer because they just love IKEA and the flagship store was the main attraction, even with a satellite store in Rishon leTzion. Personally I have avoided going to either one, though others in my family have enjoyed the occasional trip out there.

The CEO of IKEA said last night on the radio that it is in the merit of IKEA being closed on Shabbos, rather than staying open and being mechalel shabbos, that nobody was injured. That actually takes no brains, as because they were closed nobody was there to get injured. It would have been more impressive for the shmiras shabbos to have stopped the warehouse from burning down completely.

I am happy nobody was injured, in whatever merit they were saved it does not really matter.