Four Palestinians held for arson in Even Sapir blaze

Four Palestinians were arrested late Wednesday afternoon and questioned in connection with the large forest fire that broke out earlier in the day near Moshav Even Sapir, west of Jerusalem.

Acting Jerusalem police commander Menny Yitzhaki said that in addition to the possibility that the fire was started by arson, police are checking whether negligence by local hikers may have been a cause.

Dozens of firefighting teams and four helicopters were called up to battle the blaze, which was finally brought under control after about three hours. Some residents of Even Sapir had been ordered to evacuate their homes, as firefighters worked to prevent the fire spreading to Hadassah hospital in Ein Karem.

The blaze broke out in several locations, prompting suspicions of arson. Israel Radio reported that more than 50 dunams (12 acres) burned. Firefighters cited difficult topography, high temperatures and heavy winds as the primary forces making the battle a more difficult one.

No injuries were reported.

Once the fire was brought under control, the helicopters were sent to the north, where firefighters battled two additional blazes.

The first was in the foothills of the Carmel, and the second in Kiryat Tivon, 15 kilometers (9 miles) southeast of Haifa. Five teams of firefighters were brought to the area to battle the Kiryat Tivon blaze.

Both fires in the north were brought under control early Wednesday evening. None of the residents near Kiryat Tivon were forced to evacuate their homes during the fire.