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August 8, 2012 11:24 am
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Jerusalem Area Fire Under Control, 4 Palestinians Arrested

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avatar by Algemeiner Staff

Smoke rises from a blaze in Israel, in early July, 2011. Photo: wiki commons.

One of the two fires which broke out in Israel today, has been brought under control, according to rescue authorities.

Two separate blazes forced firefighters to respond, one just outside of Jerusalem and the other in the eastern portion of the Carmel Mountains.

The Jerusalem fire, which has been contained according to Israeli authorities, brought nearly 40 teams of firefighters who worked to gain control of the blaze, along with assistance from multiple aircraft.

Menny Yitzhak, Jerusalem’s Police Chief, said that 4 Palestinians have been arrested in connection with the fire, while also stating that the blaze may have been started due to negligence on the part of hikers.  Police are currently searching for hikers that may have been involved.

Firefighters continue to battle a blaze in the eastern portion of the Carmel Mountains, near the Jezreel Valley, and are being aided by planes dropping water from the air. Volunteers from the National Search and Rescue School have joined the effort as well.

“There is not danger to life or property as this is an uninhabited area,” said Yossi Ben Yossef, a spokesman for Haifa Fire Services.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hadassah-Ein Kerem Hospital evacuated nearly all of its patients as the blaze approached the area near Jerusalem,  according to the Jerusalem Post.

Nearly a month ago, police in Jerusalem arrested two people in connection with arson attacks in the area, and according to the area’s fire department, over 200 blazes have been extinguished since the summer began.

No injuries have been reported in relation to Wednesday’s fires.

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