Top cop hailed as hero after succumbing to burn wounds

JERUSALEM, Israel (AP):

Israel's top policewoman was lauded as a national hero and symbol of courage yesterday after succumbing to burn wounds sustained in a rescue operation during a raging forest fire.

Deputy Commander Ahuva Tomer's story of self-sacrifice has gripped the nation, which held her up in sharp contrast to harsh criticism of other leaders accused of being woefully unprepared to confront the biggest wildfire in Israel's history.

Her death raised the toll for five days of fires to 42. The blaze was virtually extinguished yesterday, in part because of overnight rains.

Late yesterday, Israeli police said they had identified the "prime suspect" in the blaze, a 14-year-old boy arrested earlier in the day.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the boy admitted to smoking a water pipe and throwing some burning coals in an open area of the Carmel forest in northern Israel. The boy told police he panicked, fled the scene and returned to school without telling anyone as the fire quickly spread.

Rosenfeld would not say how police found the boy, or whether he was connected to other suspects. Police have placed two other youths under house arrest while the investigation continues.

At a time when Israeli officials are often tainted by misconduct and incompetence, 53-year-old Tomer reminded Israelis of the values of a bygone era when leaders were seen as selfless heroes.

She headed the police department in Israel's third-largest city, Haifa, and was the highest ranked policewoman in the country. She was driving behind a bus of prison guards rushing to evacuate a prison Thursday when both vehicles were engulfed in flames. She was badly burned but clung to life for four days.

News of her death dominated broadcasts throughout the day, with commanders and colleagues eulogising her and thousands of people turning out for her funeral.