Israeli police blame negligence for deadly forest fire International help flowing into country for Israel’s worst blaze

SEBASTIAN SCHEINER Ein Hod, Israel— The Associated Press

Saturday, Dec. 04, 2010
Negligence, not arson, appears to have caused the worst forest fire in Israel's history, police said Saturday as firefighters from around the world worked to quell the deadly blaze for a third consecutive day.

Two people were arrested in connection with the fire, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said without providing further details about the suspects. "We're talking negligence at the moment," Mr. Rosenfeld said.

Israel Radio, citing unidentified police officials, said the blaze likely was started by a family that failed to extinguish a picnic fire