A homeless man was arrested after he was caught on video attempting to start one of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County using what appeared to be a flamethrower. The incident took place in Woodland Hills, near the site where the Kenneth Fire began, as reported by KTLA.
Witnesses, including Renata Grinshpun, said they saw the man riding a bicycle and setting fire to Christmas trees and garbage cans around the same time the Kenneth Fire ignited. Grinshpun described seeing a car screech to a halt as a man shouted, “Neighbors, he’s trying to start a fire! Call 911!”
The suspect was reportedly carrying a large device, possibly a propane tank or flamethrower, and tried to set fire to debris. When neighbors saw what was happening, they acted quickly. Some men surrounded the suspect, and they successfully restrained him with zip ties and a rope before performing a citizen’s arrest while he tried to flee on his bike, according to Grinshpun.
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The Kenneth Fire was reported at 2:30 p.m. on January 10, 2025, and as of the morning update, it had spread to 960 acres with no containment. Los Angeles Police Department Senior Lead Officer Sean Dinse confirmed the department responded to a report about the fire starter around 4:30 p.m., with the suspect detained shortly after by citizens.
The Kenneth Fire is now being investigated as a potential case of arson. At the same time, the Los Angeles County wildfires have already claimed at least 10 lives. The updated toll includes five fatalities from the Eaton fire and five from the Palisades fire. Due to the dangerous fire conditions and challenges identifying remains, officials have warned that it could take weeks to confirm additional casualties.
In total, over 100,000 residents have been evacuated as wildfires continue to rage across Los Angeles County, with the Eaton and Palisades fires being the most destructive among the many wildfires affecting the region. Authorities have stated that they are still working in a highly volatile environment, with ongoing spot fires and gas leaks complicating efforts to fully assess the damage and death toll.
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