Arson suspected in fire near Israel Museum

The fire yesterday in Jerusalem's Valley of the Cross, which came close to the Israel Museum compound before being extinguished, may have been caused by arson, according to Israeli Fire and Rescue Services.

In a statement, Fire Services said that three starting locations for the fire had been identified along with flammable material, raising the suspicion that the fire was deliberately started.

23 fire teams and 8 firefighting aircraft were needed to put out the blaze yesterday, which came close enough to the Israel Museum compound that visitors had to be evacuated.