Climate change?
The Los Angeles Police Department arrested a man on suspicion of arson near the Kenneth Fire. The police confirmed they started an arson investigation and believe that arson caused the fire.
A possible arson suspect was arrested Thursday night near the Kenneth Fire area as fire crews continue battling flames burning near homes in Calabasas and West Hills.At around 4:30 p.m., Los Angeles police responded to reports of a man attempting to light a fire in the 21700 block of Ybarra Road in Woodland Hills.Residents who reportedly spotted the suspect held him down until officers arrived. Photos of the arrest shared on the Citizen app show officers surrounding a home where the male suspect was apprehended.Authorities have not confirmed whether the man was responsible or had any connection with the current wildfires. His identity was not released.
The neighbors banded together:
“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!’” recalled Renata Grinshpun, who witnessed the incident.Grinshpun said the commotion roused neighbors from their homes who cornered the suspect and held him down. She said the man had what appeared to be a large “propane tank or a flamethrower” and a neighbor saw him trying to light an object on fire behind a vehicle.“We really banded together as a group,” Grinshpun said. “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.”
We first learned about the fire at 2:30 PM local time in Ventura County, threatening Calabasas. It’s burned close to 1,000 acres so far.
The authorities lifted the evacuation warning for the area this morning.
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