Four fires blazed Wednesday in Petah Tikva and the surrounding area, three in open fields and one in an apartment building. There were no reported injuries.

Initial investigations indicate that arson may be a possible cause in some of the fires. Findings from the initial probe have been transferred to the police.

A fire broke out near the industrial zone of the city at around 9 A.M. As a result of the blaze, poisonous smoke arose from the Segula industrial zone in Petah Tikva. Residents in nearby areas were asked to evacuate their homes for two hours.

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In fields burned by the fire, an unauthorized site for waste disposal was found. Asbestos fibers, known to cause cancer, were also found at the site. Representatives from the environment ministry warned residents of the dangers of inhaling the poisonous smoke.

Dozens of fire squads from Petah Tikva, Givatayim, Bnei Brak, and Herzliya attempted to stop the spreading of the fire to factories in neighboring industrial zones.

Seven fires in open fields and three apartment building fires raged in the past two days in the area.