PARIS: A raging fire erupted at the Israeli embassy in Paris early on Thursday morning, destroying the elegant but aging building. There was no immediate indication that the blaze was caused by arson or an attack. "According to the first indications it is of accidental origin," a police official said. He said the blaze could be linked to renovation work that was being carried out at the embassy building near the Champs Elysees in the fashionable eighth district of the capital. Earlier Israeli ambassador Elie Barnavi said the fire, which broke out shortly after 2:00 am, was possibly caused by a short circuit. Some 150 firefighters brought the blaze under control after four hours. Police forensic experts were at the scene Thursday morning and a judicial investigation was opened. AP