Firefighters are still operating at the scene of a large fire in the Samaria communities of Kdumim and Havat Gilad, which damaged 24 homes and destroyed 13. The Israel Fire and Rescue Services investigation concluded that the blaze, which began Saturday afternoon, was caused by a cigarette butt thrown on the roadside. Fire Commander Tzión Shankor said the fire spread at an unusual speed, leading to the extensive damage.
The large fire that broke out Saturday afternoon near the community of Kdumim in Samaria spread rapidly to Havat Gilad, damaging 24 homes and destroying 13. By Sunday morning, the Israel Fire and Rescue Services investigation concluded that the blaze was caused by a single cigarette butt thrown on the roadside. Fire Commissioner Tzión Shankor, head of the Judea and Samaria district, said the fire moved at an unusual rate of spread, leading to the extensive damage. No casualties were reported.
The Zioneer first reported at 16:21 Jerusalem Saturday that the entire settlement of Havat Gilad had been evacuated. Over the course of Saturday, the damage toll was progressively updated: from 10 homes destroyed to 13, and finally to 24 homes damaged with 13 destroyed. Early reports from the community described the incident as an arson attack, but the official investigation ruled out arson and identified the cigarette butt as the cause. The source of information evolved from community reports to official statements from the Israel Fire and Rescue Services.
The Samaria region has experienced several fires this summer. As The Zioneer reported on June 19, a suspected arson brush fire near Havat Aviha required four aerial firefighting planes. The rapid spread of the latest fire was attributed to the unusual rate of spread, according to the fire chief.
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