California Fires: Multiple people accused of arson as firestorm rages in LA
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - As fire crews continue to work to extinguish deadly wildfires across Southern California, at least two people have been arrested in recent days, accused of trying to start fires in the area.
The massive firefight began on Tuesday, Jan. 7 with the Palisades fire breaking out on the west side of Los Angeles. Since then, several other major fires have broken out in Los Angeles County, including the Eaton Fire in the Altadena and Pasadena area and the Kenneth Fire in West Hills.
Officials are currently investigating the Kenneth Fire as arson. One person has been detained in that investigation. A police source told FOX 11 that a man who was arrested Thursday in Woodland Hills may be linked to the fire.
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The arrest happened around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, near the area of Arcos Drive and Galendo Street. Residents said a man was riding around on a bicycle carrying a large blow torch, trying to set multiple old Christmas trees and garbage cans on fire. When the man rode away, neighbors followed him, and eventually stepped in.
One police source told FOX 11 that the man might have potentially been linked to the Franklin Fire, though how was not immediately clear.
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During a press conference Friday morning, LAPD Assistant Chief Dominic Choi said there wasn't enough evidence to arrest the man for arson or suspicion of arson. The man was, however, arrested on suspicion of a felony probation violation. The case is being investigated.
On Friday, police in Azusa arrested a man who allegedly admitted to starting a brush fire.
Officers were called out to Pioneer Park just after 11:30 p.m. on Friday after a brush fire was reported. Witnesses told officers that the man who started the fire was still nearby.
They found Jose Carranza-Escobar standing near the flames and arrested him. Officials said that Carranza-Escobar, who they described as a transient, admitted to starting the fire.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department was able to quickly put out the fire.