Man killed in minibus fire identified as driver, 78

A man killed when a minibus caught fire in the central Israeli city of Bnei Brak Wednesday night was named Thursday as Yaakov Horan, 78, who was apparently the driver of the vehicle.

A Magen David Adom team arrived at the scene and pronounced Horan dead after he was extricated from the vehicle, which was completely consumed by the flames.

MDA paramedic Gal Pe’er described how rescuers found the victim.

“When we arrived at the scene the minibus was burning and firefighters were putting out the flames,” he said. “After a few minutes, when it became possible, a search was made inside the minibus and a lifeless man was found. There was nothing to do except declare him dead.”

In the aftermath of the incident, Nehemiah Street, where the minibus went up in flames, was closed to traffic in both directions.

Two other cars were damaged in the blaze as well.

Police opened an investigation of the incident.