Beit Shemesh farm owner arrested on suspicion of causing the blaze and growing drugs

A 57-year-old resident of Ksalon, near the Beit Shemesh area, was arrested Thursday morning on suspicion of negligently causing a large brush fire last week. Details indicate that the fire started in a warehouse used by the suspect, who owns a horse farm, for growing drugs. In his interrogation, he denied any connection to the lab and claimed that the warehouse had been rented to another person.

His detention was extended by four days.

The brush fire broke out in a forested area near Beit Shemesh. About 30 firefighting teams, assisted by six firefighting planes, worked to contain the blaze, and forces evacuated the first row of houses in the settlement of Ksalon. Later, the fire was brought under control.

As part of the investigation, authorities are examining the possibility that the fire originated in a structure used partly as a chicken coop and partly as a storage facility. Materials suspected of being used in the production of illegal drugs were discovered in the storage area, and police are investigating whether a drug lab operating at the site sparked the fire.