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Israel fires: Hundreds evacuated as flames reach Haifa Israel fires: Tens of thousands flee as fires hit Haifa
(about 2 hours later)
Hundreds of people have been evacuated in Israel and West Bank settlements as firefighters battle a three-day outbreak of forest fires. Tens of thousands of people are being evacuated from their homes as wildfires rage through parts of the Israeli city of Haifa.
Hot, dry wind is fanning the flames, which have reached the city of Haifa and forced the temporary closure of a major Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. Huge flames are being fanned by hot, dry winds in residential areas in the north of the city of about 300,000.
A minister said half of the fires were "apparently arson". Fires are also threatening homes near Jerusalem and in the West Bank.
However, police said they had not determined whether any fires were started deliberately. A minister has said that half of the fires were "apparently arson", but police have not confirmed that any had been started deliberately.
Four people have been arrested in connection with a fire in the Jerusalem area. Hundreds of military reservists have been called up to help battle the three-day outbreak of fires.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the Palestinian men were expected to appear in court later on Thursday, on suspicion of starting a bonfire negligently, Reuters reported.
'People are stuck'
No deaths or serious injuries have been reported, though the national ambulance service said 35 people had been treated for smoke inhalation.No deaths or serious injuries have been reported, though the national ambulance service said 35 people had been treated for smoke inhalation.
In the northern city of Haifa, which is Israel's third largest, some residents were reported to be trapped by the advancing flames. In Haifa, schools, kindergartens, the university and an old people's home were evacuated.
"We evacuated three neighbourhoods and there are people who are stuck," fire department spokesman Kayed Daher told AFP. Residents loaded up supermarket trolleys with belongings and fled their homes, the Associated Press news agency reports.
"The fire is still burning and the flames are approaching a gas station."
Flames 10m (30ft) high were threatening several multi-storey tower blocks in one Haifa suburb, an AFP photographer at the scene reported.
Haifa Mayor Yonah Yahav told Channel 2 TV there were indications that one of the fires started when "someone tossed a cigarette in an area full of oil and flammable fluids" in an industrial zone.Haifa Mayor Yonah Yahav told Channel 2 TV there were indications that one of the fires started when "someone tossed a cigarette in an area full of oil and flammable fluids" in an industrial zone.
Further south, Highway 443 - which links Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, crossing through the West Bank - was closed to morning traffic on Thursday as another blaze reached the city of Modi'in.Further south, Highway 443 - which links Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, crossing through the West Bank - was closed to morning traffic on Thursday as another blaze reached the city of Modi'in.
Homes and cars were damaged, and 300 students were evacuated from a school, in nearby Talmon settlement, police said. Homes and cars were damaged, and 300 students were evacuated from a school, in Talmon, an Israel settlement in the occupied West Bank, police said.
Palestinian Civil Defence officers said it had taken them five hours to put out a fire in fields nearby on Wednesday.
Several countries - including Cyprus, Russia, Italy, Croatia and Greece - have sent help and equipment, including aircraft, to help tackle the blazes.Several countries - including Cyprus, Russia, Italy, Croatia and Greece - have sent help and equipment, including aircraft, to help tackle the blazes.
Four Palestinian have been arrested and are due to appear in court on suspicion of starting a bonfire negligently.
"Almost 50% of the fires are apparently arson," Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan told Army Radio."Almost 50% of the fires are apparently arson," Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan told Army Radio.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett, the leader of a far-right party, said on Twitter in Hebrew: "Only those to whom the country does not belong are capable of burning it." Education Minister Naftali Bennett, the leader of the Jewish Home party, said on Twitter in Hebrew: "Only those to whom the country does not belong are capable of burning it."
Meanwhile, the Arabic-language hashtag #Israel_on_fire began trending, with the majority of tweets expressing pleasure over the outbreak.Meanwhile, the Arabic-language hashtag #Israel_on_fire began trending, with the majority of tweets expressing pleasure over the outbreak.
In 2010, 42 people died in a fire on Mount Carmel, just south of Haifa.In 2010, 42 people died in a fire on Mount Carmel, just south of Haifa.
Are you in the area affected by the fires? Have you been evacuated? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you in the area affected by the fires? Have you been evacuated? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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