Portsmouth leader sends letter of sympathy to Haifa after'˜politically-motivated' wildfire

Wildfire has roared through parts of Israel’s third-largest city – which is twinned with Portsmouth.

The blaze also prompted a rare call-up for hundreds of military reservists to join overstretched police and firefighters.

Authorities speculate the blaze may have been started by politically-motivated arsonists.

In a letter to Mayor Yona Yahav, Tory councillor Donna Jones said: ‘On behalf of the city of Portsmouth, we wish to convey our deepest sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected by the fires in the city of Haifa over the last few days.’