Electrical fault causes large fire at Acre mosque

Seven firefighting teams, hundreds of locals help put out blaze at one of oldest, biggest mosques in Israel

By ToI Staff 1 August 2016, 4:56 am

Locals help battle a fire at the al-Jazzar Mosque in Acre, July 31, 2016. (Israel's emergency and rescue service)

An electrical fault was the cause of a large fire at a mosque in Acre on Sunday, Israel’s rescue and emergency services said.

The blaze at the al-Jazzar Mosque in the northern town’s old city caused some damage to the outside structure. One person was lightly injured.

Seven firefighting teams battled the blaze, helped by hundreds of locals who asked to assist, according to media reports.

According to an initial investigation, it seems an electrical fault in the air conditioning in the women’s section led to the blaze.

A fire rages at the al-Jazzar Mosque in Acre, July 31, 2016. (Israel’s emergency and rescue service)

Acre Mayor Shimon Lancry said the municipality would “help with whatever was needed to rehabilitate the mosque.”

The mosque is one of the oldest and largest in the country. It was built on the ruins of a church and completed in 1781.