Police arrested two Palestinians Sunday night on suspicion of causing a destructive fire in the northern West Bank settlement of Havat Gilad over the weekend, though the incident is reportedly being treated as an accident rather than arson.

The pair were taken to interrogation over the blazes that destroyed 13 houses and damaged dozens more Saturday afternoon.

Investigators said on Sunday that an initial probe indicated the fire was sparked by a still-lit cigarette butt flicked to the side of the road, as law enforcement began working to track down the vehicle it was thrown from.

Police did not immediately respond on Monday when asked whether the two detainees are suspected of causing the fire on purpose.

According to an Army Radio report on Sunday, however, security agencies assessed that the blaze was sparked unintentionally.

After ruling out arson with a nationalist motive, the Shin Bet withdrew from the investigation and left police to handle it, the outlet said.

Police said Monday that officers were still weighing whether to ask for the two detainees to remain in custody, and would make a decision based on the interrogation’s findings.

No casualties in blaze

According to reports, by Sunday morning, the fire in Havat Gilad had damaged 29 separate structures in the settlement, completely........

© The Times of Israel