Man arrested on suspicion of arson following devastating LA fires
Rhianna Benson
Featured Image Credit: Apu Gomes/Getty Images
Los Angeles Police Department have arrested a local man on suspicion of arson after a new wildfire was started in California yesterday.
The incident comes as over 30,000 locals have been forced to leave their homes under mandatory evacuation orders, with the fires having now wiped out thousands of properties and structures.
The first fire to erupt, the Palisades Fire, started on 7 January, where extremely dry conditions and abnormally high temperatures in the region allowed it to begin rapidly spreading.
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There are now five fires currently burning, which have destroyed the homes of thousands of residents, including huge-name stars like Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, Cameron Mathison, and Paris Hilton.
An update in the days that followed heard a spokesperson from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection telling press there is 'no possibility' of controlling the flames as of yet.
David Acuna told CNN: "[We are] mostly concerned with ensuring that all people get out of the area because life safety is the most important part, and we're helping plan to that their pets and livestock also have a safe shelter."
Now, a man has been arrested after he was allegedly caught trying to start a fire. Police say this is in connection with the Kenneth Fire, which started on Thursday and has now spread across over 900 acres. The fire is being 'investigated as a crime'.
West Hill locals detained a man in the Woodland Hills area, before calling 911.
Charles Dinsel - senior lead officer in the investigation - has since confirmed that the man has been arrested after being allegedly seen trying to start a fire.
A Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) spokesman said: “About 20 to 30 minutes later a suspect was detained over in Woodland Hills area by citizens. It is being investigated as a crime."
At least 900 Los Angeles Fire Department officers were deployed to handle the Kenneth Fire, with several thousand already working tirelessly to get the rapidly-spreading flames from the other wildfires under control.
Local police are now investigating whether the initial Palisades fire could be the result of an arson attack, with Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley telling CNN that 21 officials are now working on the case.
The total death toll stands at 10 people, but is expected to steadily grow.
The remains of several of the deceased as still be to identified, the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner told press.