Woodland Hills
residents apprehended an individual wielding a blowtorch, who
authorities believe may be linked to the Kenneth Fire.
Officials in the West Hills area are currently investigating the Kenneth Fire, which ignited Thursday afternoon, as a possible case of arson, as reported by the Los Angeles Police Department. One individual has been taken into custody in connection with this investigation. A police source has informed FOX 11 that a man arrested Thursday in Woodland Hills may have ties to the fire incident.
The arrest occurred around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, in the vicinity of Arcos Drive and Galendo Street. Local residents reported seeing a man on a bicycle carrying a large blow torch, attempting to ignite several discarded Christmas trees and garbage cans. After the man fled the scene, neighbors pursued him and ultimately intervened.
One resident recounted that a group managed to apprehend the individual, even using zip ties at one point.
"He was very adamant, saying, 'I can't stop. I can't stop. I'm not putting this down. I'm doing this,'" one witness stated. "He appeared very determined to continue using the blow torch, while we were trying to convey that this was not acceptable behavior."
Footage from the scene captured the arrival of law enforcement officers to detain the man.
The arrest occurred around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, in the vicinity of Arcos Drive and Galendo Street. Local residents reported seeing a man on a bicycle carrying a large blow torch, attempting to ignite several discarded Christmas trees and garbage cans. After the man fled the scene, neighbors pursued him and ultimately intervened.
One resident recounted that a group managed to apprehend the individual, even using zip ties at one point.
"He was very adamant, saying, 'I can't stop. I can't stop. I'm not putting this down. I'm doing this,'" one witness stated. "He appeared very determined to continue using the blow torch, while we were trying to convey that this was not acceptable behavior."
Footage from the scene captured the arrival of law enforcement officers to detain the man.
Renata Grinshpun recounted the incident, stating, “We were in the backyard when we suddenly heard a car come to a screeching stop. A man jumped out, shouting, ‘Stop! Drop what you’re holding! Neighbors, he’s trying to start a fire! Call 911!’”
Grinshpun noted that the disturbance prompted neighbors to emerge from their homes, where they managed to corner the suspect and restrain him. She described the man as possessing what seemed to be a large “propane tank or a flamethrower,” and a neighbor witnessed him attempting to ignite an object behind a vehicle.
“We truly united as a community,” Grinshpun remarked. “Several men surrounded him and forced him to his knees. They secured him with zip ties and rope, enabling us to perform a citizens’ arrest.”
Authorities have yet to determine if the man was responsible for the incident or if he had any ties to the ongoing wildfires. His identity remains undisclosed.
Sean Dinse from the LAPD’s Topanga Division stated, “What we know at this moment is that the incident took place here, and approximately 20 to 30 minutes later, citizens detained a suspect.”
When questioned about the possibility of arson, Dinse responded, “At this time, that is our belief. It is being treated as a criminal investigation.”
The Kenneth Fire was first reported around 2:30 p.m. in an area of dry brush within the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space, located just north of the 101 Freeway. By 9 p.m., the fire had expanded to 1,000 acres with 35% containment.
Footage from Sky5 captured helicopters releasing flame retardant around the fire's perimeter, while fixed-wing aircraft were seen dropping water to safeguard nearby homes.
An investigation into the arson is currently in progress, and no additional information regarding the suspect has been disclosed.
Firefighting crews throughout Southern California are engaged in efforts to control several destructive wildfires, including the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades and Malibu, as well as the Eaton Fire in Altadena and Pasadena, which continue to spread.
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