Israeli Teen Sets Restaurant on Fire, Injures Himself, Hides for Five Days

A 16-year-old boy from Ashdod has been indicted for arson after allegedly setting fire to the "Pescado" restaurant in the city, causing significant damage. According to the indictment filed by attorney Amit Hamari of the Southern District Prosecutor's Office, the incident occurred several weeks ago at night. The teenager arrived on an electric scooter wearing gloves, a balaclava, and a motorcycle helmet, carrying a gasoline bottle. He first smashed the restaurant's entrance glass with a stone and left the scene. About half an hour later, he returned, entered through the broken door, poured gasoline inside, and ignited the fire.

The flames quickly spread and also caught the boy's left leg on fire, causing second- and third-degree burns. He fled the scene on his scooter. A passerby alerted emergency services, and firefighters extinguished the blaze. After the incident, the teenager hid in an abandoned apartment for several days, attempting to treat his burns himself. He was found by police five days later, arrested, and taken to a hospital for medical treatment.

The fire caused substantial damage to parts of the restaurant, forcing it to cease operations temporarily. The youth faces charges of arson, intentional property damage, and breaking into a business. The Ashdod police station is investigating the case.