Planes battled Sunday's blaze
Photo: AP
Man arrested for starting Jerusalem fire
Police suspect 50-year old man burned trash on lawn, dry wind spread flames across forest
Jerusalem Police arrested Monday a 50-year old man on suspicion he caused a giant forest fire Sunday, which endangered both Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and homes in the nearby neighborhoods.
The suspect, who resides in a town near Jerusalem, was arrested on suspicion he burned trash irresponsibly on his lawn, causing the blaze to break out.
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Firefighters conducting the investigation which led to the man's arrest found evidence that the fire was started near the man's house, and surmised that gusts of dry wind caused the flames to spread to the nearby Jerusalem Forest. The probe continues.
Sunday's blaze consumed 37 acres of the forest, which is some 830 acres large. The Carmel fire, by comparison, consumed some 8,650 acres.
Perhaps hit hardest by the Jerusalem fire was Beit Ya'ar, a hostel that rehabilitates youth at risk. The fire caused great damage within the hostel and its facilities.
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