While the horrific fires of last week, which took place during the ‘sharav’ heatwave have been brought under control, efforts to ensure the fire does not re-start were ongoing near Kibbutz Harel on Sunday morning.

Fire department officials reported that in addition, the Beit Shemesh hazardous materials unit (hazmat) worked to neutralize an asbestos threat from some of the homes that were burned in Harel, as seen in accompanying photos and video.

It is reported that efforts were ongoing Sunday morning to remove the asbestos threat from the kibbutz, which will clear the way for many residents to return go their homes after being evacuated during the fires that began on Lag B’Omer.

Fire department officials are quoted saying on Sunday that without a doubt, some of the fires were the result of arson and they are probing to determine if the arson was motivated by Arab terror.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)