A homeless man wielding what residents described as a “flamethrower” has been apprehended by locals in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, on suspicion of starting the devastating Kenneth Fire.

The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly seen igniting old Christmas trees and garbage cans while riding a bicycle, coinciding with the fire’s eruption on Thursday, as reported by The New York Post.

Renata Grinshpun, a local resident, told KTLA she heard a commotion in her neighborhood before witnessing a man holding what she described as “a propane tank or flamethrower” attempting to ignite debris in the street.

A neighbor’s urgent plea for help sparked immediate action, with locals detaining the suspect in a dramatic citizens’ arrest caught partially on video. “We really banded together as a group,” Grinshpun said.

“A few gentlemen surrounded him and got him on his knees. They got some zip ties, a rope and we were able to do a citizens’ arrest.”

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Another witness, speaking to Fox 11, described the suspect as “very focused” on his mission, stating, “He was like, ‘I can’t stop. I’m not putting this down. I’m doing this.’”

JUST IN: A homeless man in his 30s has been arrested for possible arson in connection to the Kenneth Fire, which broke out near Calabasas and the West Hills area Thursday afternoon.

Residents reported seeing the man riding a bicycle while carrying a large blowtorch. He allegedly… pic.twitter.com/s0KAYcGVzZ

— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) January 10, 2025

The LAPD confirmed that an arson investigation is underway at Victory Trailhead, where the Kenneth Fire began. Officer Sean Dinse said, “At this time, that’s what we believe. It’s being investigated as a crime.”

The Kenneth Fire ignited around 2:30 p.m. on Thursday in the West Hills area and has since consumed 960 acres with no containment as of Friday morning. Fierce winds have fueled the fire, pushing it into Ventura County and threatening residential areas.

More footage of the man arrested in the Woodland Hills area, suspected of arson.

The man, was found holding a blowtorch, and is suspected of starting the Kenneth Fire which has consumed 1,000 acres, and left thousands fleeing their homes.

pic.twitter.com/3wsJNrKk2O

— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) January 10, 2025

Initially, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for Hidden Hills but were later downgraded to warnings, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley.

The fires in Los Angeles County have left a trail of destruction. Five separate blazes, including the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, and Sunset Fire, have collectively scorched nearly 30,000 acres and destroyed thousands of homes.

The Palisades Fire alone has consumed 20,000 acres, destroying more than 5,000 structures. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire has caused catastrophic damage to between 4,000 and 5,000 homes as it rages across 13,690 acres.

Authorities are also grappling with a wave of looting. At least 20 individuals have been arrested for looting homes damaged or destroyed by the fires, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The fires have forced over 130,000 Californians to evacuate, with no end in sight. Tragically, at least 10 people have lost their lives, and officials warn the death toll may rise. While the causes of these fires remain under investigation, the damage continues to mount, with entire communities left reeling in the wake of destruction.

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