The LAPD has arrested a suspect allegedly in connection to starting one of the fires in Los Angeles.
According to reports, the suspect is a homeless man in his 30s. He was originally detained by residents of the Woodland Hills neighborhood shortly after the Kenneth fire started on Thursday near Calabasas and West Hills. The Kenneth fire started in the San Fernando Valley on Thursday afternoon and rapidly burned over 1,000 acres.
Renata Grinshpun, who witnessed the suspect being detained, said, “We were sitting in the backyard and suddenly we hear a car come to a screeching halt and the guy is running out saying, ‘Stop! Drop what you’re holding! Neighbors, he’s trying to start a fire! Call 911!’’
She went on to say that neighbors rallied together and held him until the police arrived. Grinshpun also said that the victim seemed to be carrying a propane tank or a flamethrower. “We really banded together as a group,” she added. “A few gentlemen surrounded him and got him on his knees. They got some zip ties, a rope and we were able to do a citizens’ arrest.”
Firefighters are continually fighting multiple large wildfires in the Los Angeles area, which began due to dry conditions and powerful winds. These wildfires have burned nearly 10,000 homes, building structures, and more, leaving at least 10 people dead. Many people were forced to evacuate from their homes and were left with nothing.
We reported that singer Jhene Aiko and Tina Knowles were among those who lost their homes in the fires. Authorities have not confirmed if the man was responsible for the current wildfires and his identity has not been released.
Sean Dinse of LAPD’s Topanga Division said, “What we know right now is that the incident occurred here and about 20-30 minutes later, a suspect was detained by citizens.” He also spoke on whether he believed that the fire was a case of arson. “At this time, that’s what we believe. It’s being investigated as a crime.”
The fire in Kenneth was reported around 2:30 p.m. in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space in a dry brush area. Around 9 p.m. the fire spread 1,000 acres with very little containment.
An arson investigation is currently underway. We will keep you posted on this matter.