An arrest has been made in connection with the Kenneth Fire in the West Hollywood Hills.
As firefighters continue battling flames near homes in Calabasas and West Hills, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is conducting an arson investigation at Victory Trailhead, where the devastating fire broke out.
The Kenneth Fire is suspected to have been intentionally set and has scorched through around 1,000 acres.
It is believed the Kenneth Fire is now under control.
Officials are treating the Kenneth Fire as a crime, and an arrest has been made in connection with the blaze
Image credits: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
Image credits: Kindel Media (not the actual photo)
“The #KennethFire is 1,000 acres and now 35% contained. The forward rate of spread has been stopped,” California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote in a tweet during the early hours of Friday morning. “Grateful for the heroic firefighters from Los Angeles and Ventura counties who are actively engaged on the scene, deploying both ground crews and aerial resources.”
Following the arrest, NewsNation reporter Brian Entin wrote on X saying the suspect was detained by citizens.
“Los Angeles Police says Kenneth Fire currently burning was intentionally set and suspect ‘was detained by citizens,’” Entin wrote at the time.
At least 10 were killed so far after multiple fires began ripping through Los Angeles this week
Image credits: The White House
“They tell me Victory Trailhead is now a crime scene and Kenneth Fire is an arson investigation with 1 person in custody,” the reporter said in another tweet. “Kenneth Fire is up to about 900 acres.”
LAPD officials confirmed the arrested suspect is a homeless man in his 30s. While the blaze is “being investigated as a crime,” the motive behind starting the fire is still unclear.
It is believed residents called 911 and reported a male attempting to start a fire on Thursday, January 9.
Local residents held the suspect down until responding officers arrived and took him into custody.
“The #KennethFire is 1,000 acres and now 35% contained. The forward rate of spread has been stopped,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said early Friday morning
Image credits: Governor Newsom
Image credits: mariashriver
Several celebrities, including Happy Days actor Henry Winkler, singer Chris Brown and TV star Elizabeth Chambers raised suspicions of arson in connection with the LA wildfires. However, the LA Fire Department initially dismissed the claims and said: “There's no way to know at this moment exactly where and how the series of fires started, but an investigation is underway.”
Now, LAPD is treating the Kenneth Fire as a crime and said the maximum penalty will be doled out.
“Justice will be swift. It will be firm, and the maximum punishment will be sought,” Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman told NewsNation.
“Our goal is to send this warning,” he added. “Whether it’s looting, these internet scams, robbery, or future arsons. … The day and age of a DA’s office standing on the sidelines is over. We want to bring justice, and we will.”
At least 20 people have been arrested for looting homes that were damaged or destroyed by the catastrophic wildfires
Image credits: The White House
Image credits: sandraleeonline
Over Wednesday and Thursday, the LAPD arrested at least 20 people for looting homes that were damaged or destroyed by the catastrophic wildfires wrecking havoc in Los Angeles.
Around 130,000 Californians were given evacuation orders. The major fires ripping through parts of the city included the Palisades Fire west of LA, the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena and the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills.
