Shortly after the bodies at Treblinka were cremated, the underground that had coalesced at the camp decided not to postpone the uprising any longer. The date they chose was August 2. Using an improvised key to the camp arsenal, members of the underground began to remove and distribute weapons. The rebels became suspicious that one of the camp commanders had discovered the action and were forced to eliminate him. The sound of the gunshot brought the camp guards to the site, disrupted the continued distribution of weapons, and interfered with the plan to take over the camp. As members of the underground opened fire on the SS men and torched most of the camp. Masses of prisoners rushed to the fences. Guards opened fire on them from the watchtowers. Most of the escapees were shot near the fence; others managed to break out, but were caught and shot by German reinforcements that had been rushed to the area. Approximately 70 escapees survived. 
 Most of the buildings were ablaze during the uprising, except for the gas chambers. Prisoners who had not escaped were shot at once, or were murdered after having to efface the murder that had been carried out in the camp.