Fire death toll reaches 41

Firefighters worldwide help Israel battle inferno; tensions set aside

HAIFA, Israel - The death toll from Israel's worst fire ever reached 41 on Friday as firefighting crews and equipment from around the world began arriving to help the nation battle the devastating blaze.

The inferno, which also displaced thousands, is still raging through forests in northern Israel and on the outskirts of the country's third largest city, Haifa. An unprecedented convoy of international assistance poured in after Israel issued a rare cry for help.