Los Angeles police have arrested an unnamed man who was “attempting to light a fire" in the city's Woodland Hills area, near the Kenneth fire, though law enforcement officials have said they cannot confirm a connection between the arson suspect and any of the deadly fires currently burning through California.
Firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department on Jan. 10, 2025.
The man, who was detained by nearby residents who held him down until police arrived Thursday, was reportedly carrying a “propane tank or flamethrower," according to neighbors.
One of the women involved in the citizen's arrest, Renata Grinshpun, told local news he had a "propane tank or... like a flame thrower" and that someone saw him "behind a van, trying to light something on fire."
LAPD officer Charles Dinsel reportedly told NewsNation the arrest has prompted officials to launch an arson investigation at Victory Trailhead, where the Kenneth fire began 20 to 30 minutes before the man was detained by neighbors.
When asked if the fire was set intentionally, Dinsel told NewsNation, “At this time, that's what we believe,” but LAPD also tweeted late Thursday that it “CANNOT confirm any connection to any fire by this suspect at this time.”
The Kenneth fire, burning close to homes in the area of Calabasas and Hidden Hills, is currently at 0% containment and has burned nearly 1,000 acres since it started Thursday afternoon.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
“Justice will be swift. It will be firm, and the maximum punishment will be sought," Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman told NewNation's Ashleigh Banfield, adding that any suspected arsonist could be charged with homicide and sentenced to life in prison.
At least 10 people have died since a series of wildfires started burning in Los Angeles county on Tuesday. The Kenneth fire is the third largest of five major active fires that have destroyed more than 9,000 structures, including thousands of homes, and caused residents to evacuate in what could be the costliest wildfire disaster in American history. The Palisades fire has burned nearly 20,000 acres alongside homes, businesses and landmarks in Pacific Palisades and west along the Pacific Coast Highway, toward Malibu. The Eaton fire in Altadena and Pasadena has burned almost 14,000 acres, and the Kenneth, Lidia and Hurst fires have each burned less than 1,000 acres. Little is known about how the fires started. Early Friday morning, President Joe Biden announced he has approved California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration. Landmarks destroyed in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, hit the hardest so far, include places like Palisades Charter High School (used in films "Carrie" and "Freaky Friday," Will Rogers State Historic Park the Getty Villa and Theatre Palisades. It has also destroyed the homes of dozens of celebrities, including actor Adam Brody and his wife, actress Leighton Meester; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick; Paris Hilton; Billy Crystal; Tina Knowles, businesswoman and the mother of Beyoncé and Solange; and reality TV stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt.
180,000. That's how many people are under evacuation orders stemming from the fires.