American police have arrested a man who, according to witnesses, tried to start a fire in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles.
Although the authorities have launched an investigation, no connection has yet been confirmed between the suspect and the devastating fires that have engulfed California.
Local residents stopped the man on Thursday and held him until the police arrived. According to witnesses, he was carrying a "propane tank or some kind of flame-ignition device." A woman who took part in his arrest, Renata Grinshpun, said someone had seen the man trying to set fire to the back of a van.
LAPD Trooper Charles Dinsel said after the arrest, an arson investigation was launched at the Victory Trailhead, where the Kenneth fire broke out 20 to 30 minutes before the suspect's arrest, he reported. forbes
When asked if it is believed the fire was intentional, Dinsel said "we currently believe it was." However, the LAPD has announced on Platform X that it cannot yet confirm the suspect's connection to any of the fires.
More footage of the man arrested in the Woodland Hills area, suspected of arson.
The man, was found holding a blowtorch, and is suspected of starting the Kenneth Fire which has consumed 1,000 acres, and left thousands fleeing their homes.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) January 10, 2025
The Kenneth Fire is currently out of control (0 percent contained) and as of Thursday afternoon had consumed almost 1000 acres.
"Justice will be swift, severe, and we will seek the maximum penalty," said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, adding that the arson suspects could be charged with murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Since Tuesday, at least 10 people have lost their lives in the series of wildfires that have swept through Los Angeles County. The Kenneth Fire is the third largest of the five large active wildfires, which have destroyed more than 9000 buildings, including thousands of homes, and forced residents to evacuate. This could be one of the costliest wildfire disasters in US history.
The largest fire, the Palisades, has burned nearly 20 acres, burning homes, businesses and landmarks in Pacific Palisades and spreading west along the Pacific Coast Highway toward Malibu. The Eaton fire has destroyed nearly 14 acres in the Altadena and Pasadena areas, while the Kenneth, Lidia and Hurst fires combined cover less than 1000 acres.
US President Joe Biden on Friday morning approved California Governor Gavin Newsom's request to declare a major natural disaster.
Landmarks destroyed in Pacific Palisades include the Palisades Charter High School, the Will Rogers Historic Park, the Getty Villa and the Palisades Theater. The fires have also destroyed the homes of many famous figures, including actor Adam Brody and his wife Leighton Meester, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick, Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, Tina Knowles, and reality star Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt. /Telegraph/
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