Two arrested in Netanya gas explosion

Two men were arrested following a gas explosion in the Israeli city of Netanya that left four people dead.

One of the men was arrested Friday on suspicion of having damaged and stolen gas lines in the four-story residential building. Police say the man, who had been detained near the building on Thursday before the explosion but was then released, was found with metal pipes in his possession. Police are trying to determine whether the pipes were stolen from the building.

The other man under arrest is a gas company technician who reportedly inspected the building’s gas lines and who police suspect of negligence.

In addition to the four fatalities, more than 90 people were injured in the blast. It caused heavy damage to buildings around the city’s seaside Atzmaut Square.

A judge extended the custody of the two suspects for five days.