A massive fire that raged in a Jerusalem forest on Sunday was apparently caused by teenagers hiking in the Ein Hindak area. A group of high school boys began playing with fire during the hike, and when the fire got out of control, continued their hike without informing authorities.
Police detained a 15-year-old for questioning on Sunday, and say they plan to locate and question additional suspects over the course of the upcoming days.
Sunday's fire destroyed 1,000 dunams (250 acres) of natural forest, caused damage to more than 20 cars, and led to the evacuation of residents from the Moshav Orah and Aminadav south of the capital. Forty firefighting teams and five helicopter crews battled the fire, which neared Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital before it was extinguished.
A young woman who had been hiking in the area suffered light injuries due to smoke inhalation. Firefighters managed to evacuate dozens of other hikers without injury.
The Jewish National Fund, which created and maintains many of Israel's forests, has distributed information on fire safety in forests and other natural areas. According to JNF data, 50% of forest fires in Israel are caused through negligence; many others are caused by Arab arsonists.
There have been several hundred fires in natural areas in Israel over the past three months, in which a total of 20,000 dunams of land have been burnt, JNF workers said Sunday.
Fire in the Heart of Jerusalem, Children Injured
A second fire broke out in Jerusalem on Sunday, this one in a private home in the Shmuel HaNavi neighborhood near the city center. Twin 18-month-old boys were left in serious condition due to smoke inhalation.
The fire broke out when a 3-year-old boy played with matches while his father and siblings slept. Neighbors smelled smoke and rescued the boy and his father; however, they were initially unaware that there were two other children in the apartment as well. When the father realized what had happened he raced back into the burning home and rescued the twins. Both the father and twins are currently hospitalized in intensive care.
A local rabbi, Rabbi Yosef Sheinfeld, is collecting money for the family, whose house was destroyed in the blaze. In addition to contributing to the fund, neighbors have set up a rotating schedule to assist the family in the hospital.