Officials suspect arson in vast Jerusalem blaze — report

18 August 2021, 5:16 pm

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A first responder looks out over burnt trees following a major fire which broke out in the Jerusalem hills, on August 17, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Initial investigations by police and fire officials into the massive blaze that burned in the areas surrounding Jerusalem earlier this week indicate that the flames could have been set intentionally, reports Channel 12 news.

According to the report, investigators believe there were two or three initial sites where the fires began in the suburban Beit Meir community, where the fire originated. Since those specific locations are not generally accessed by hikers or locals, police reportedly believe that arson is a more likely situation.

Police are still continuing their investigation into the fire — which blazed for 52 hours beginning on Sunday until it was finally brought under control yesterday — and have not made any final determination.