A homeless man was arrested on suspicion of arson after brave onlookers detained him for allegedly using a flamethrower to start fires near the Kenneth Fire, a raging wildfire in Los Angeles. The incident took place on Thursday afternoon in Woodland Hills, where the suspect was reportedly seen riding a bicycle and setting fire to old Christmas trees and trash cans. This occurred around the same time the Kenneth Fire, which later exploded to 960 acres, began.
Renata Grinshpun, a local resident, shared her experience with KTLA, explaining that she was in her backyard when she heard a car screech to a halt and a neighbor shout, “Neighbors, he’s trying to start a fire! Call 911!” Grinshpun witnessed the man holding what appeared to be a propane tank or flamethrower, trying to ignite debris in the street. As he attempted to flee on his bicycle, nearby residents quickly intervened and cornered him. Some men in the area used zip ties and a rope to restrain him until law enforcement arrived.
Witnesses reported the suspect was focused on continuing his actions despite their pleas. One person recalled the man saying, “I can’t stop. I’m doing this.” The crowd, however, refused to let him proceed, ultimately taking matters into their own hands. Thanks to their quick thinking, the suspect was restrained and handed over to police.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) responded to the situation and confirmed it was investigating the Kenneth Fire as a possible case of arson. LAPD Senior Lead Officer Sean Dinse initially noted that the fire was believed to be a crime and that a major crimes squad was investigating the suspect. However, as of the latest update, the homeless man was arrested only for a felony parole violation, as there was not enough evidence to charge him with arson at the time. The investigation is ongoing, and the suspect’s identity has not yet been revealed.
The LAPD also praised the community’s actions, acknowledging the citizens who stepped up and helped detain the man. While authorities were cautious about making definitive statements, it was clear that the public’s intervention played a crucial role in preventing further damage.
The Kenneth Fire, which started around 2:30 p.m., continues to rage across West Hills and Ventura County, with no containment as of Friday morning. Earlier in the day, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for the Hidden Hills area but were later downgraded to warnings. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that the blaze has spread across 960 acres, and firefighters are battling it with limited containment.
The Kenneth Fire is one of several major wildfires currently ravaging Southern California, with thousands of residents under evacuation orders. The fires, including the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, have already consumed thousands of acres, destroyed homes, and left at least 10 people dead. Officials are still investigating the causes of the fires, which remain uncontrolled in multiple areas.
In addition to the wildfires, at least 20 individuals have been arrested in connection with looting in areas affected by the fires. Law enforcement continues to monitor the situation closely, as the fires cause widespread destruction across the region. The ongoing situation in Southern California remains critical, with thousands of residents facing evacuation orders as wildfires burn out of control.
