A man was detained by locals and arrested for allegedly starting a wildfire in Los Angeles, which has rapidly spread across the area.
Los Angeles: A man was arrested on suspicion of starting a wildfire that broke out on Thursday afternoon. This fire, known as the Kenneth Fire, quickly spread to over 800 acres.
Locals in the West Hill area spotted the man near Ybarra Road around 4:30 PM and called 911. They detained him until the police arrived.
Officer Charles Dinsel confirmed that the man was caught trying to ignite a fire. He was arrested about five miles from where the fire is believed to have started.
According to an LAPD spokesperson, citizens detained the suspect in Woodland Hills about 20 to 30 minutes after the initial sighting. The investigation is ongoing.
Arson investigators are also looking into another fire, the Palisades Fire. The Los Angeles Fire Department has deployed 21 officials, including 16 arson investigators and a sniffer dog, to assist with the case.
Sadly, the death toll from the fires has reached ten, and it may rise as more remains are identified. Thousands of firefighters are currently battling five major wildfires that have devastated nearly 30,000 acres around Los Angeles.
At least 900 firefighters are working to contain the Kenneth Fire. Other fires in the area include the Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, and the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills.
Initially, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for residents of Hidden Hills near the Kenneth Fire, but officials later downgraded those to warnings.
