A suspect has reportedly been arrested by Los Angeles residents and taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in connection with a major fire in Los Angeles.
The current wildfires burning in Los Angeles have been officially declared the worst in the city’s history. The Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and Kenneth fires engulfed the area, and thousands of area residents were ordered to evacuate. Residents say an unidentified suspect was seen riding a bicycle in Woodland Hills Thursday afternoon. According to new york post
Residents claim they witnessed him setting several Christmas trees and trash cans on fire with what appeared to be a “flame thrower” or “torch” at the same time the Kenneth Fire started. Los Angeles Police Department Senior Chief Officer Sean Dins confirmed that a suspect had been arrested. said KTLA 5 News that police believe the fire was intentionally set.
“We really came together as a group,” said Renata Grinspun, who witnessed the incident. “Several gentlemen surrounded him and forced him to his knees. They got zip ties and rope and we were able to arrest the resident.”
“What we know now is that the incident happened here, it started here, and about 20 or 30 minutes later the suspect was taken into custody by a citizen in Woodland Hills,” Dince said. spoke.
No further information regarding the suspect’s identity has been released at this time, but the New York Post reported that the suspect in custody is believed to be a homeless man.
If convicted, the penalties associated with this crime are steep.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the suspected arsonist faces murder charges, which could carry a life sentence. According to News Nation.
“Justice will be swift. We will be decisive and seek the maximum punishment,” Hochman said on “Banfield.”
ALTADENA, CA – JANUARY 9: The remains of a destroyed building are seen as the Eaton Fire continues to burn on January 9, 2025 in Altadena, California. Multiple wildfires sparked by strong Santa Ana winds are burning across Los Angeles County. At least five people were killed and more than 25,000 acres burned. More than 2,000 buildings were also affected by fire, and about 180,000 people were ordered to evacuate. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Kenneth Fire is out of control near Calabasas and Hidden Hills, threatening entire neighborhoods.
Economic losses from the ongoing LA wildfires could reach $150 billion, NewsNation reported, citing AccuWeather.
This aerial photo taken from a helicopter shows the Kenneth Fire closing in on a home in the Calabasas area of ​​Los Angeles County, California, on January 9, 2025. The massive wildfire that engulfed entire neighborhoods and displaced thousands of people in Los Angeles remained fully contained as of January 9, 2025. Officials announced that the U.S. National Guard was preparing to take to the streets to quell the unrest. Parts of America’s second-largest city were in ruins, smoke filled the sky and a pungent odor permeated nearly every building. (Photo by Josh Edelson/AFP) (Photo by Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)
More than 35,000 acres have been destroyed by wildfires across Los Angeles. At least 10 lives were lost. (Related: Ultimate troll job or genuine opinion: Random man’s questions about Los Angeles fires baffle local reporter)
Firefighters and first responders continue to work to extinguish the fire.
