Suspect arrested for Arson for starting Los Angeles fire

Saturday, January 11, 2025 - A man has been arrested on suspicion of starting a new wildfire that erupted in Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon, January 9.

The LAPD launched an arson investigation at Victory Trailhead, where the devastating fire broke out, with the area being treated as a crime scene, Brian Entin of NewsNation wrote on X.

The Kenneth Fire sparked just after 2:30 p.m. and has since spread over 800 acres and continues to rip through Ventura County, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley told reporters Thursday night.

“About 20 minutes, 30 minutes later a suspect was detained over in the Woodland Hills area by citizens,” LAPD Senior Lead Officer Sean Dinse told Entin.

According to Fox News, he is a homeless man in his 30s.

The cause and reason behind the fire remains unclear, but officials said the Kenneth fire was “being investigated as a crime”.

By 11 pm on Thursday, the fire had burned through more than 1,000 acres and had reached 35 percent containment.

Officials said the “forward progress” of the blaze had been stopped with firefighters battling it overnight.

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,” adding that the man was arrested five miles from where the fire is believed to have started.

Detectives are also investigating whether the suspect has any links with other fires in the area.

The death toll from the fires as risen to 10 people and it is expected to grow.

The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner said the remains of these people are still being identified.

The LAPD said at least 20 people had been arrested on suspicion of looting with some residents forced to hire private security guards to stop their homes from being turned inside out.

Kathryn Barger, the LA county supervisor, said a curfew would be put in place in some areas around the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires.

“I promise you, you will be held accountable,” she said. “Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis.”