Children and babies were among the 15 people rescued by Israel’s Fire and Rescue Authority in the early hours of Wednesday morning after suspected arson attacks caused fires at several residential buildings in Beersheba.
A 16-year-old Jewish minor was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the arson, the Fire and Rescue Authority said Thursday morning.
The 15 people were taken for medical care after being rescued from the smoke-filled apartments.
In total, nine buildings were set on fire in the suspected attacks. The buildings were on Aliyah Street, Derech Shimshon Street, Rabbi Uziel Street, Tabenkin Street, Tel Hai Street, Derech Hameshachrerim, Hogla Street, Moriah Street, and Radak Square.
Rescuing civilians from the flames after suspected arson
After receiving dozens of calls, firefighters responded to the fires and began extinguishing flames in building lobbies, electrical cabinets, and shelters.
The first responders immediately began searching for residents trapped in the flames and instructed those stuck to place wet rags around their closed doors and windows and to wait in interior rooms.
The cause of the fires is currently being investigated.