The following email from Rabbi Moshe and Leah Shemtov, Directors of Camp Gan Israel Detroit was sent on Motzoei Shabbos to parents of campers and staff. A copy was also sent to COLlive:
Boruch Hashem, camp has gotten off to a great start, with an inspiring first Shabbos here in Lubavitch City, MI.
Last night during the Shabbos Seuda while we were all in the dining room, a fire broke out in one of the bunk houses.
Boruch Hashem no campers, counselors or staff were in or near the bunk at any time and no one was hurt in any way.
After the meal when some bunks headed back they saw from outside a small fire in the bunk house (which is situated about 5 min walk -Valley Cabins Bunk Yud Daled- from the dining room) and ran back to inform us.
Boruch Hashem no campers, counselors or staff were hurt in any way although the personal property of the 10 campers and 2 staff of that bunkhouse were damaged. The parents of that bunk have all already been contacted and if you were not contacted your child is not in that bunk.
Last night the bunk was relocated with beds, linen, nightgowns and were put to sleep with a beautiful story about Reb Levik.
Camp is working diligently to ensure that every camper has all their needs fully met. Tonight the bunk is on their way to town to buy linen, bedding, personal items etc.
Although we do not know yet the cause of the fire, we have put extra precautions & supervision in place, and continue to examine ways to keep all our campers & staff safe and secure at all times.
We thank Hashem for all His kindness and goodness and are forever grateful that no one was hurt and that damage was minimal and only to property.
att bunk yud dalerds/snobby highers/burgurs summer of last year .
who remembers our awsome summer together our dedicated and awsome counslours shaina avtzon and chana fayga our crazy old old old bunkhouse that needed a repair which is prob why the fire started our open showers due to fears who remebers the snobby highers song i luv u bunk yud daled forever we all miss it (i think ) it was definatly an expierience lol luv yah guyz keep missing u day by day
i remember that bunkhouse. go “othersiders!”
Bunkhouse
Bunkhouse
a bunkhouse or a trailer
wow that was my bunkhouse last year so many great memories in that place
so sad to see it down :[
Is bunk Yud Daled pioneers?
that was my bunk house last year!
What age are the girls in bunk Yud Daled??
i remember a safety box with a fire alarm or s/t like that installed in every bunkhouse on the “otherside”
Than you rabbi and mrs Shemtov for always keeping our kinderlach safe and happy! The kids are having a great time, yasher koach and may you go from strength to strength.
even if they did (and probably so) no one would hear it. it was on shabbos.
at least it was only in a Oklahoma bunk house and not the site !!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing how they took that bunk and counselors shopping for everything! Go CGI Detroit!!!
No camp can compare
no one was hurt! hashgacha protis that it happened during the firday night meal and no one was in the bunkhouse at that time
My einiklach are Boruch Hashem in this amazing and chassidishe camp and were so happy they are in such good, capable hands. Im Yirtzeh Hashem it should be a safe, successful summer bgashmius ubruchnius. Hatzlacha rabba!
Maybe they can install fire alarms in the bunk houses,
I have had my children at many camps, and this has been by far the most professional in dealing with lice, illness, contact with parents, etc.
I hope all camps have proper fire alarms and systems in place. If not, please, this is not the place to cut corners or save money.
And thank you for dealing with this responsibly.
We are all blessed!
Hatzlacha!
Buffalo, NY
bunk yud daled
If they get enough insurance $$ mabey they can bail out the city of Detroit….
the other side kicks!
BH everyone is ok
Shemtovs: Dedicated heart and soul to CGI Detroit!
May you be blessed with much hatzlocha always
That was my bunk house in bunk tzadik Bais summer of ’93. BH everyone is OK.
brings back good old memories
which bunk was this??
See what happens…as soon as the boy’s leave and the girls come…BOOM:) (lol)
P.S.(obviously im just joking and please dont start spamming b/c of this comment:)
P.S.P.S. I cant believe I felt I had to make that previous comment
B’H no one was hurt
I hope this will be a reminder to all camps to install fire alarms
thank you hashem
Rabbi Moshe & Leah Shemtov;
As always we are so impressed with the professional manner in which you deal with everything.
Hodu L’Hashem Ki Toiv
It’s such a miracle that it happened when it did, not at night or any time kids/staff would be there! Boruch Hashem!!
As long as everyone is safe, that’s what matters., Things can be replaced. It is very responsible to publicly post so as not to get everyone fired up (pun intended) with unfounded rumors. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Baruch Hashem no one was hurt! With a fire comes great wealth?