At least 10 homes have been destroyed and more than a dozen residents were taken to the Hillel Yaffa Medical Center after a massive fire continued to rage Tuesday near the picturesque Mediterranean coastal town of Zichron Yaakov, just south of Haifa.
Four children, including a 10-day-old infant, a three and a half month old, and two children ages 8 and 10, received first aid care at the emergency room and were later released. All are in good condition, officials said. Three of the children were siblings from a single family. Two more patients were also released after receiving care, and six others were still being treated, including one individual who is likely to be admitted to the hospital for observation after suffering smoke inhalation.
At least 40 firefighting vehicles and eight firefighting planes were engaged in battling the blaze. According to Israel Police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld, the cause of the massive blaze “seems to be weather conditions.”
A separate rash of fires also broke out near a school in the nearby town of Atlit, north of Zichron Yaakov. Some 200 students were evacuated from the school, according to the Israel HaYom publication. The town is located very close to the Mount Carmel National Park on the southeastern outskirts of Haifa.
In addition, a blaze broke out near the Haifa suburb of Nesher, and also in Hadera, south of the port city.
The unseasonably hot and dry weather this month combined with the high winds this week to create “the perfect conditions” for fire to catch and spread with the least spark, officials warned.
Roads leading to the areas of Zichron Yaakov that were evacuated were closed by police and fire officials. Several neighborhoods were evacuated and elsewhere in the city, residents were warned to remain indoors and to keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles. Those who were evacuated were told to shut down their gas and electric lines.
Regional police commander Amos Yaakov met on scene with the fire chief, local government authorities, Magen David Adom emergency medical services and the IDF Home Front Command.
The devastating Carmel forest fire that destroyed so much of that beautiful forestland in 2010 was the deadliest in the history of Israel, claiming 44 lives and destroying more than 12,000 acres in four day’s time. It was followed by a wave of terrorist arson attacks throughout Israel, Judea and Samaria.
Andrew Friedman of TPS contributed to this report.