Suspicion of arson in Kiryat Arba: hundreds of vehicles went up in flames at a scrapyard
The fire broke out in the industrial zone, and firefighting teams are working on the scene to prevent it from spreading to an adjacent lot. Gas cylinders exploded and high-voltage lines were damaged, but there is no danger to residents. Station commander: "We scrambled teams from neighboring districts to prevent further damage."
A large fire broke out this evening (Saturday) at a lot for vehicles intended for dismantling in the Kiryat Arba industrial zone. Firefighting teams are working on the scene to gain control over the flames that engulfed hundreds of cars, while the suspicion that the fire was caused by arson is being investigated.
The fire began to spread through the vehicle lot and led to the explosion of several gas cylinders. Due to the scale of the blaze, dozens of firefighters from the Yehuda station and reinforcement teams from neighboring districts were called in. The firefighting efforts are focused on stopping the spread of the flames toward another car lot located near the scene.
Despite the scale of the blaze, the fire does not endanger the homes of residents in Kiryat Arba. Parallel to the firefighting operations, investigators are checking the suspicion of arson, but a thorough examination of the scene and an understanding of the circumstances of the fire's outbreak will only be possible after the operations are completed and the area is fully cooled.
Yehuda station commander, Assistant Chief Tamir Erez, stated that this is a significant fire involving many vehicles and gas cylinders that are bursting as a result of the heat. According to him, upon the arrival of the first teams and the assessment of the situation, firefighters from additional stations were scrambled to the scene. He noted that they are working in several locations simultaneously where high-voltage lines were damaged and added that soldiers are assisting the firefighting teams with water supply.
