Beersheba fires spark arson probe after night of rescues

Many of the locations were older buildings with enclosed stairwells, allowing smoke to spread quickly and complicating evacuations.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

Fires erupted overnight Wednesday to Thursday in nine residential buildings across Beersheba, prompting large-scale rescue operations and raising suspicions of deliberate arson.

Firefighters pulled roughly 15 people from smoke-filled apartments, including infants and young children, according to the Fire and Rescue Service.

Two adults — a 48-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man — were evacuated to Soroka Hospital in mild condition.

The first emergency calls reached the 102 hotline shortly before midnight, with additional reports continuing until around 3:00 a.m.

Crews from the Beersheba station raced between multiple three- to five-story buildings.

“Upon the arrival of the teams to the various scenes,” the fire department said, “the fighters identified fires in the building lobbies, in the electrical cabinets and in the shelters.”

Many of the locations were older buildings with enclosed stairwells, allowing smoke to spread quickly and complicating evacuations.

Firefighters conducted floor-by-floor searches while working to extinguish the flames.

Because smoke blocked escape routes in several buildings, crews instructed numerous residents to remain in their apartments, seal door frames with wet cloths, close windows and doors, and move to interior rooms.

“Most of the residents were instructed to lock themselves in their homes,” the department said, noting that the measure prevented further injuries.

Magen David Adom medics and paramedics were dispatched throughout the city, treating residents suffering from smoke inhalation. Several children were transported for additional evaluation.

A fire investigator called to the scene found evidence consistent with intentional ignition.

According to the Fire and Rescue Service, the preliminary assessment points to an “arson attack.”

Police later confirmed that one suspect had been arrested, though no details on a possible motive were released.

Fire officials said the blazes originated from multiple ignition points, including electrical cabinets and furniture inside protected rooms, and that the simultaneous outbreaks posed significant danger to residents and complicated the overnight response.

Authorities are continuing to investigate.