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Arson possible cause of Jerusalem forest fire

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Israeli investigators are looking into the possibility that a fire that blazed just metres from the Holocaust museum Yad Vashem was caused by arson.

The wildfire, the worst in Israel since the devastating blaze in the Carmel forest last November, was put under control by the end of Sunday.

It had broken out earlier in the day at a spot in the Jerusalem forest on the outskirts of the city, but spread as far as the Katamon region of Jerusalem.

Yad Vashem was evacuated and two people were treated by doctors but no damage to site was reported. Elsewhere, four people were taken to hospital and around15 hectares of the forest were burned.

Unlike in the November fire, when 42 people were killed, low wind meant fire-fighters were able to control the blaze before it caused significant damage.

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