Jerusalem firefighters battle 15 blazes in one day
Firefighters in the capital ran from blaze to blaze throughout the day, starting at 7:20 am. 'Evidence shows that some of the fires were set on purpose'
Jerusalem firefighters have been working all day to extinguish no fewer than 15 fires that broke out in the city Sunday.
"We fear that most of today's fires were caused by arson," Jerusalem fire chief Capt. Shmulik Friedman told Ynet. "At some of the sites there is even evidence to that effect."
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"At the Mount Scopus fire, we found evidence that prove that it was arson. In addition, we are looking into the possibility that there were witnesses. The event is being investigated and therefore I can't go into details."
According to Friedman, the fires dovetailed with a series of unusual events, that included weather and wind conditions: "But there is also the human element – negligence or arson."
The aftermath of a fire in Armon Hanatziv (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)
Jerusalem Fire Services Spokesman Lahav Assaf Avres published a report stating that in recent weeks, there have been hundreds of fires. "The report concentrates on a number of fires in open areas, fields, brush, and forests," he said.
"We have noted 124 incidents in the east of the city, 136 events around Pisgat Zeev, and 42 incidents in the Armon Hanatziv area. Our firefighters are tough, but this morning some are already exhausted. Some weren't allowed to go home because they had to back up the current shift."
"As per the district commander's instructions, we have made investigating these arson cases a top priority," the police said.
As of Sunday evening there were no reports of anyone injured in any of the blazes.
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