LA fires live updates: Arson suspect ‘armed with flamethrower’ arrested near new Kenneth blaze as 10 dead
Death toll continues to climb as the arson suspect, allegedly armed with a ‘propane tank’ or ‘flamethrower,’ is being held in police custody
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Your support makes all the difference.At least 10 people have been killed by the fast-moving wildfires tearing across the Los Angeles area, while a suspected arsonist, allegedly armed with a “flamethrower,” has been arrested.
The Department of Medical Examiner announced it received notification of 10 fire-related fatalities on Thursday evening with the death toll expected to climb. It came hours after the Kenneth fire broke out north of the Palisades fire on Thursday, threatening homes near Calabasas and Hidden Hills.
The Los Angeles Police Department initiallysaid it believed the blaze was started intentionally. Later on Thursday, a man was restrained by citizens using rope and zip ties after allegedly attempting to light a fire in Woodland Hills, before being detained by police, Sean Dinse of the LAPD’s Topanga Division told KTLA 5.
The suspect, believed to be in his mid-20s, was armed with a “propane tank, or a… it was a big yellow tank, like a flame-thrower,” according to a local involved in the citizen’s arrest.
The Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive the city has seen, is now at six percent containment. The fire has scorched almost 20,000 acres, while the Altadena and Pasadena-based Eaton fire has burned 13,690 acres.
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Police arrest ‘armed’ Kenneth fire arson suspect
A man allegedly armed with a “flame-thrower” has been arrested after being accused of intentionally igniting the new Kenneth brush fire, according to police.
“What we know right now is the incident occurred; started here,” Sean Dinse, Senior Lead Officer of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Topanga Division, told KTLA 5.
Citizens restrained the suspect, who was allegedly armed, on Ybarra Road in Woodland Hills before police arrived at the scene.
“He had a propane tank, or a… it was a big yellow tank, like a flame-thrower basically. The neighbor said he saw the guy behind a van, trying to light something on fire,” said one of those involved in the citizen’s arrest.
10 killed by wildfires – but the true death toll remains unclear
At least 10 people have been killed by the fast-moving wildfires tearing across the Los Angeles area, as the death toll continues to climb.
The Department of Medical Examiner announced it had received notification of 10 fire-related fatalities, as of 9 p.m. local time on Thursday.
Officials have warned that the true extent of lives lost will remain unclear until investigators can attain access neighborhoods.
Milo Ventimiglia fights back tears while visiting rubble of charred home lost in California fire
Milo Ventimiglia fought back tears while visiting the remains of his house that was ravaged by the deadly California wildfires raging through the Los Angeles area.
The This is Us and Heroes actor was one of many Hollywood stars who lost their homes after evacuating Malibu on Tuesday (7 January) and, while surveying the damage for the first time, he emotionally reflected on the “heavy” loss.
He also described the incident as “life imitating art”, revealing it “wasn’t lost” on him that his This is Us character Jack Pearson saved his family from a house fire.
Jacob Stolworthy has the story.
Milo Ventimiglia fights back tears while visiting home lost in California fire
‘It hits you so quick,’ the ‘This is Us’ actor said after surveying destruction for first time
Super Scooper plane makes emergency landing after hit by ‘drone strike’ while flying over Palisades fire
Is the Hollywood sign on fire?
As deadly wildfires continue to devastate Los Angeles County, the outbreak of a new inferno in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday afternoon led to the spread of fake pictures and video across social media claiming that the iconic Hollywood sign is ablaze.
Those images are fake and, at the time of writing, the legendary landmark is safe from the flames as the fire woud have to cross over a freeway in order to impact the sign. The fire has however impacted the lights that illuminate the sign, affecting its visibility.
At least five people have been killed by the out-of-control fires so far, with more than 1,000 structures destroyed and at least 150,000 residents forced to flee their homes.
Emergency responders are battling to rein in the destruction, although their efforts are not being helped by strong winds and dry conditions on the ground.
Joe Sommerlad reports.
No, the Hollywood sign is not on fire
Fake news swirls around legendary landmark as deadly wildfires continue to devastate Los Angeles
NFL moves wild card game from L.A. to Arizona amid fires
The upcoming NFL wild card round playoff matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams has been moved to Arizona from L.A., as fires continue to ravage the California city.
“The decision was made in consultation with public officials, the participating clubs, and the NFL Players Association,” the NFL said in a statement on Thursday.
The game, slated for Monday, will take place at State Farm Stadium, the home arena of the Arizona Cardinals instead.
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