An Israel offer of assistance in fighting a disastrous fire which broke out last night in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, one of the Christian shrines in this city, was rejected by Arab authorities, in whose area the Church is situated. A major portion of the building’s dams was destroyed before the blaze was brought under control this morning.
The Israel equipment which was offered to the Arabs included chemical extinguishers which the Arabs did not possess. It was authoritatively stated that the fire was started accidentally by an open blow torch used by workmen repairing the structure.
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