FOX 11 reported that authorities have arrested at least two people.
They face accusations “of trying to start fires” in the area as fires continue to burn: Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, and Hurst.
The arrest happened around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, near the area of Arcos Drive and Galendo Street. Residents said a man was riding around on a bicycle carrying a large blow torch, trying to set multiple old Christmas trees and garbage cans on fire. When the man rode away, neighbors followed him, and eventually stepped in.One police source told FOX 11 that the man might have potentially been linked to the Franklin Fire, though how was not immediately clear.During a press conference Friday morning, LAPD Assistant Chief Dominic Choi said there wasn’t enough evidence to arrest the man for arson or suspicion of arson. The man was, however, arrested on suspicion of a felony probation violation. The case is being investigated.
Azusa police arrested another man who allegedly started a brush fire. FOX 11 said he admitted to the act:
Officers were called out to Pioneer Park just after 11:30 p.m. on Friday after a brush fire was reported. Witnesses told officers that the man who started the fire was still nearby.They found Jose Carranza-Escobar standing near the flames and arrested him. Officials said that Carranza-Escobar, who they described as a transient, admitted to starting the fire.The Los Angeles County Fire Department was able to quickly put out the fire.
Azusa is just east of the Eaton fire.
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