The latest update regarding the Los Angeles County fires reveals that an arson suspect has been detained in Woodland Hills and is being investigated for “purposely starting the Kenneth Fire” in West Hills.
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A few hours ago, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the Kenneth Fire, burning in West Hills, Los Angeles County, was now being investigated as an arson case, and soon after, it was reported that one person was detained for “purposely starting” the fire.
As we’ve previously reported, the Kenneth Fire is just one of at least seven wildfires (five major ones) bringing devastation across Los Angeles County. The first to make headlines was the brush fire in the Pacific Palisades that broke out on Tuesday (January 7). The Palisades Fire grew quickly and did the most damage, doubling in size within an hour of erupting. This was the fire that led officials to issue one of the first evacuation alerts and implement a state of emergency.
Following the Palisades Fire, was the Eaton Fire near Altadena and Pasadena; the Hurst Fire near Sylmar and Santa Clarita; the Lidia Fire in Acton and around Soledad Canyon Road; the Woodley Fire near Woodley and Sepulveda Basin; the Sunset Fire near Runyon Canyon and the Hollywood Hills; and the Kenneth Fire burning in West Hills, notably threatening homes near Calabasas and Hidden Hills.
Since the eruption of the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, there have been at least 7 deaths reported, mostly between the two fires, and thousands upon thousands of structures and acres damaged and destroyed. Both fires are 0% contained.
On Thursday (January 9), it was even reported that in order to help combat the fires and minimize further devastation across Los Angeles County, nearly 800 prisoners from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) were deployed among the county’s emergency first responders and firefighters.
According to ABC News, the incarcerated individuals voluntarily signed up to be a part of the Conservation (FIRE) Camps program and they have been placed with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection crew members (CAL FIRE). The inmates are being paid between $5.80 and $10.24 per day, plus $1 an hour when responding to active emergencies.
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According to News Nation, Los Angeles Police Department Senior Lead Officer Sean Dinse confirmed to reporter Brian Entin that the Kenneth Fire “was intentionally set” and one person was detained. Amid all of the devastation, on Thursday, at around 4:30 p.m., officials with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to reports of a man attempting to light a fire in the 21700 block of Ybarra Road in Woodland Hills.
Residents in the area claimed they witnessed the suspect committing an alleged criminal act and rushed him, holding him down until officers arrived. In photos from the suspect’s detainment, officers are seen surrounding a home where a male suspect was detained. Law enforcement officials have not yet confirmed whether the man was responsible or had any connection with the current wildfires, nor has his identity been released.
According to CBS News LA KCAL‘s New Assignment Editor Mike Rogers also reported that a man was detained by citizens and called the Los Angeles Police Department, who took the arson suspect into custody in Woodland Hills, regarding the Kenneth Fire. Rogers then noted that LAPD brought the man to the Topanga Police station, where a detective from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office was headed to further interview the suspect to see if there is any connection. Rogers clearly repeated, “Nobody is under arrest. Nobody is definitively saying that this fire is arson, and nobody is definitively saying that the person that LAPD has at Topanga Station is that potential arsonist.”
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