A homeless man has been arrested for intentionally starting a fire near the Los Angeles wildfire.
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Police in Azusa, which is about 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, detained Jose Carranza-Escobar on suspicion of arson after a brush fire ignited near Pioneer Park late Friday night. First responders were called shortly after 11:30 p.m., and a witness directed officers to the suspect, who was still at the scene. Carranza-Escobar, a transient, was found standing next to the flames and later admitted to starting the fire. He was arrested and charged with arson.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department quickly extinguished the blaze. This incident occurred as authorities were investigating a person spotted near the site of the Kenneth Fire in West Hills. The fire in the San Fernando Valley ignited amid ongoing evacuations, as multiple brush fires burned across Southern California during high wind warnings. The Palisades and Eaton fires have been particularly destructive, claiming 11 lives and destroying hundreds of structures.
The Azusa Police Department warned residents to remain vigilant.
“We must be cautious of individuals who may enter our community with the intent to start fires,” the department said in a statement.
In response to the escalating fire threat, Azusa PD has deployed extra officers to ensure safety. “We are taking a ‘zero tolerance’ stance on these types of criminal acts.”
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