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The fire that was burning out of control in the Motza area of the Jerusalem corridor has been declared “under control” by firefighting commanders Baruch Hashem. The blaze erupted during the afternoon hours on Tuesday, 6 Tammuz 5772, spreading rapidly due in part to the hot dry conditions. The blaze compelled the closure of the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway in the area in both directions from Latrun to the entrance to the capital for about two hours, adding to the difficulties as traffic backed up rather quickly.

Firefighters were aware of the potential and just how deadly the blaze could have become if it spread out of control. It took over 40 fire teams to contain the blaze. Police acted quickly to redirect traffic and maintain order and Magen David Adom moved to emergency status, with ambulances and EMS teams on standby. The Israel Air Force also became involved in the effort, dispatching six planes to assist firefighting efforts from the sky.

Police are not ruling out arson, which has blamed for many fires in the capital over recent weeks. Police fear that arson may have been added to the weaponry used by terrorists and terrorist arson is suspected in a number of major blazes that erupted of late, including one in the IDF base near Mount Scopus in which 14 soldiers were treated for smoke inhalation.

A second fire was being fought simultaneously, this one in the area of Kibbutz Maale HaChamishah. The fire resulted in hotel guests being evacuated until that blaze was brought under control. Some residents of the kibbutz were also forced to leave their homes as was the case in Mevaseret Tzion. Thick smoke bellowed into the area skies as firefighters labored to prevent this second fire from spreading. It did reach the forest area near Mevaseret Tzion and there were serious concerns over the blaze spreading out of control as the entire area was engulfed in a cloud of acrid smoke which was seen in Telshe Stone and Abu Gosh as well. Some scared motorists abandoned vehicles and fled by crossing over to the other side of the highway.

According to Jerusalem Fire Chief Shmulik Friedman, there is a high probability that many of the close to 20 area blazes extinguished throughout the day were the result of terrorist arson.

MDA reports a male in his 30s is being transported to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in light-to-moderate condition and four others are in light condition, treated for smoke inhalation.

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos by Kuvien Images & HERE for photos taken by Ben Yishai for News 24.