Fire breaks out at IDF munitions base in central Israel

Eighteen firefighting teams, six aircraft battle brush blaze on Nahal Sorek base, where the military stores advanced weaponry

By Judah Ari Gross 9 July 2017, 6:16 pm 1 Edit

Judah Ari Gross is The Times of Israel's military correspondent.

A brush fire broke out on a military munitions base in central Israel on Sunday afternoon, threatening the large amounts of weaponry stored there.

Civilian firefighters were called to the scene, but as of 5 p.m. had yet to get control of the blaze, according to fire department spokesperson Yoram Levy.

The base is located near Nahal Sorek, approximately halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. It is home to the army’s Ammunition Center, which is responsible for purchasing, collecting, storing, fixing and supplying weaponry, including everything from simple bullets to advanced missiles.

According to Levy, the fire started in a wooded grove located inside the base.

Eighteen firefighting teams and six aircraft were brought in to battle the blaze, he said.

An army spokesperson said she was aware of the fire, but could not immediately comment further.