A police investigation was launched over the weekend in Jerusalem following a suspected arson fire of a building on HaNevi’im Street in the capital that is used as a motel, a department spokesman reported to the media on Sunday morning, 17 Menachem Av.

United Hatzalah and MDA responded to the scene early Friday morning, as people were trapped in the building. MDA reports that a total of seven persons were injured in the blaze, some taken to Shaare Zedek including a male in his 30s in serious condition with burns and smoke inhalation.

Officials in Shaare Zedek Hospital on Sunday morning report that a woman and two children remain in intensive care. The father was transferred to the burn unit at Tel Hashomer Hospital.

According to the report, a suspect has already been taken into custody as a result of intensive police efforts over the weekend, leading to his arrest. A second suspect was arrested on Sunday morning, the report adds, on suspicion of conspiring to commit a crime.

One suspect is a 22-year-old Arab resident of the eastern capital. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Sunday in a local court. A motive for his alleged actions is not being reported. The investigation continues.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)