Police arrested a man on suspicion of attempting to start a fire in Los Angeles during ongoing wildfire devastation.
A man has been arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of trying to start a fire amid the ongoing wildfires in the area.
The arrest came as multiple fires have ravaged California, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life.
Wildfires are devastating Los Angeles communities severely.
The recent wildfires in California have caused severe damage, particularly in Los Angeles.
The fires have spread rapidly, leading to evacuations and a rising death toll.
As of now, at least ten people have died due to the wildfires, and the situation is still evolving.
Man taken into custody for allegedly causing fire in Los Angeles as casualties rise
On January 9, residents in the Woodland Hills area reported seeing a man attempting to start a fire.
The suspect was spotted riding a bicycle while holding a blow torch.
Locals quickly alerted the police after witnessing him trying to set fire to garbage cans and old Christmas trees on the street.
One resident, Renata Grinshpun, described the scene.
She said her family was in their backyard when they heard a commotion.
A neighbor ran over, shouting for everyone to call 911 because the man was trying to start a fire.
Grinshpun reported seeing a man with what looked like a propane tank or even a flamethrower, creating a sense of urgency among the neighbors.
“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!’”
Another resident told FOX 11: “He was very, like, ‘I can’t stop. I can’t stop. I’m not putting this down. I’m doing this’.
And [he was] very focused on moving forward with the blow torch. And we’re like, ‘We can’t be doing that right now.'”
Concerned residents took action, following the man and eventually catching him.
They managed to zip-tie him to prevent him from escaping or starting any fires before the police arrived.
Another resident recounted that the man seemed very focused on his actions, insisting that he couldn’t stop what he was doing.
The police arrived shortly after receiving the call and detained the man.
Senior officer Charles Dinsel confirmed that the suspect was caught while attempting to start a fire and has now been arrested.
The LAPD is investigating the incident as a crime.
It is not yet clear if the arrested man is connected to the various fires currently affecting Los Angeles.
Investigators are particularly looking into whether he is linked to the Kenneth Fire, which has burned over 950 acres in the West Hills area.
This fire has forced many residents to evacuate their homes and is part of a broader pattern of destructive wildfires in the state.
As of now, nearly 30,000 acres in Los Angeles have been impacted by the fires.
Five significant fires are currently blazing, and the situation is dire.
Officials are concerned that the death toll may continue to rise as firefighters work to control the blazes.
An LAPD spokesperson told The Telegraph: “About 20 to 30 minutes later a suspect was detained over in Woodland Hills area by citizens. It is being investigated as a crime.”
The community provides support during crises.
In response to the devastation, many community members are coming together to provide support.
Local organizations and the Red Cross are accepting donations to help those affected by the wildfires.
People can donate online or by calling the Red Cross directly.
The community has shown resilience in the face of this disaster.
Neighbors are helping each other out, and many are expressing their gratitude for the first responders who are working tirelessly to manage the fires and keep residents safe.