Two arson suspects arrested for West Bank settlement fire
Authorities are still conducting an inquiry into the start of the fires, which have wrecked havoc across Israel over the past week, with an initial investigation indicating arson as the main cause.
By JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: NOVEMBER 26, 2016 17:45Fire near Jerusalem. (photo credit: POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
A fire that broke out in the West Bank settlement of Halamish on Friday night was under control by early Saturday morning, Channel 10 reported.Twenty-two firefighting teams were still working to completely extinguish the flames and at several points where the fire was still blazing.Fire in Halamish (Police)Police reported Saturday morning that two arson suspects have been arrested on suspicion of igniting the fire in the settlement.The blaze reportedly burned down 15 homes and caused damage to another 22.Four people were injured during the night blaze in Halamish, two being firefighters.Meanwhile, a fire left two Israelis in critical condition in the West Bank community of Ma'aleh Adumim early Saturday morning after a blaze nearly destroyed a five-story apartment complex.According to a Magen David Adom spokesperson, paramedics arrived at the scene and provided life saving medical assistance before transferring the victims suffering from sever smoke inhalation to nearby Hadassah University Medical Center for further treatment.Authorities were still conducting an inquiry into the start of the raging fires, which have wrecked havoc across Israel since Tuesday, with an initial investigation indicating arson as the main cause.On Thursday, police arrested three Palestinians were arrested after they failed to spark a fire near the settlement of Ariel earlier in the morning. Other arsonists have reportedly been caught in the act in different locations in Jerusalem and the surrounding area.A spokesperson for the Haifa Fire Department said Friday that they had evidence that a fire started near the city's main fire depot was an act of arson. Speaking to Channel 2, Uri Chibotaro said video evidence proved the cause of the blaze.
Earlier, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan (Likud) said that the results of an investigation into Thursday's fire in the northern town of Zichron Ya'akov concluded that the blaze was caused by arsonists.Police reported that in total 30 individuals have been investigated for arson and incitement.