Israel arrests two on suspicion of starting devastating Carmel fires

[News_Editor]

Israel arrests two on suspicion of starting devastating Carmel fires

2010-12-04 01:43:59 GMT+7 (ICT)

HAIFA, ISRAEL (BNO NEWS) -- Israel on Friday announced that police forces arrested two individuals suspected of being involved in the fires that devastated the Carmel hills area.

The two male individuals were arrested after and Israeli Air Force drone filmed two men as they were attempting to ignite flammable material in the area before the fire began. Police forces investigated the tape and arrested the two suspects.

The men are reportedly in their 30s and are residents of Daliat al-Carmel. Investigators are also looking evidence of other recent arson incidents in order to determine if they are related. On Friday afternoon, a fire broke out near a gas station in Kiryat Bialik.

Authorities believed that the fire may have been caused by arson as they found related evidence in a nearby factory. Evidence of arson was also found in Kiryat Tavon. The name of the detainees has not been disclosed.

"We are treating these incidents severely, these were serious crimes," said Coastal District police chief Roni Atiya.

The death toll from Israel's worst ever brush fire rose to 41 as firefighters from Britain, Greece, and Cyprus joined in to fight the flames. The fire broke out on Thursday afternoon across the Carmel mountains and most of the casualties were from a bus evacuating prison guards near Haifa in northern Israel. In addition, dozens more were injured including police officers and firefighters.

The fire is continuing to spread and is endangering many areas and police forces urged citizens to stay clear of the area, while more than 15,000 people have already been evacuated. The affected region has heavy brush that burns easily and is spreading due to the strong winds.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-12-04