Homeless Man Arrested on Suspicion of Starting a Devastating L.A. Wildfire Using a ‘Flamethrower

Los Angeles residents detained a homeless man suspected of starting one of the wildfires ravaging Southern California while allegedly using what appeared to be a “flamethrower.”

According to local reports, the unidentified man was seen riding a bicycle around Woodland Hills on Thursday, January 7, setting fire to several old Christmas trees and garbage cans. This was the same time the Kenneth Fire began spreading.

Renata Grinshpun told KTLA she was in her backyard when she heard a car stop and a man yell, “Neighbors, he’s trying to start a fire! Call 911!”

She said she saw others filming the incident as the suspect held a large “propane tank or flamethrower” and attempted to ignite debris in the street.

In one video, a person is heard yelling, “Put it down,” as neighbors cornered the man, who then tried to escape.

“We really banded together as a group,” Grinshpun told the local outlet. “A few gentlemen surrounded him and got him on his knees. They got some zip ties, a rope, and we were able to make a citizens’ arrest.”

Another witness told Fox 11 that the suspect was “very focused on moving forward” and described the weapon as resembling a blowtorch.

“He kept saying, ‘I can’t stop. I can’t stop. I’m not putting this down. I’m doing this,’” the witness said. “And we were like, ‘You can’t be doing that right now.’”

The LAPD confirmed that an arson investigation has been launched at Victory Trailhead, where the destructive Kenneth Fire originated.