(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Jerusalem district fire service spokesman Udi Gal reports that a ceramics store inside a gas station on the Maale Adumim route was targeted by arsonists.

On Wednesday night the eve of 19 Kislev at about 3:00am, the fire service received a report for a blaze in the gas station on the Maale Adumim route. B’chasdei Hashem, they succeeded in containing the blaze before the gas station exploded.

Fire investigators report that the preliminary evidence on the scene points to arson, with the fire beginning in the ceramics store. Upon completion of the probe, the evidence will be turned over to Israel Police.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo Credit: Fire Service spokesman unit)