A large fire that broke out near the Kedumim settlement in Samaria spread rapidly to the community of Havat Gilad, destroying at least 13 homes, a garage, and a wood warehouse, according to reports. The entire community was evacuated. Over 40 firefighting and rescue crews, along with aerial firefighting aircraft, are battling the blaze. A joint investigation team from the police, fire services, and IDF has been established to probe the cause.
The fire in Havat Gilad, which began near the Kedumim settlement in Samaria on Saturday afternoon, has now destroyed 13 homes, a garage, and a wood warehouse, according to the latest reports. This is up from the 10 homes reported earlier. The entire community remains evacuated as over 40 firefighting crews with aerial support work to contain the blaze. The fire is suspected to be arson, and a joint investigation team including police, fire services, and the IDF has been formed.
Initial reports at 16:21 Jerusalem Saturday indicated that six homes had been destroyed and a firefighter injured. By the same time, the tally rose to 10 homes destroyed, with the entire community evacuated. At 20:53 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that the confirmed count was 10 homes destroyed, along with a damaged firefighting vehicle. By 21:07 Jerusalem, the damage toll had been updated to 13 homes, a garage, and a wood warehouse.
The Zioneer reported at 19:56 Jerusalem that a special investigation team with the IDF was established on suspicion of arson. The fire in Havat Gilad was one of several blazes that broke out across Samaria and the Jezreel Valley on Saturday, including in Shomshit and Kedumim, as reported earlier. Firefighting aircraft were scrambled to multiple locations.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the blaze has not yet been fully contained. Firefighting crews continue to operate at the scene. No casualties have been reported beyond the initial firefighter injury.
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