Homeless Man Arrested After Suspected Arson Sparks Kenneth Fire In Los Angeles

A homeless man in his 30s has been arrested in connection with the Kenneth Fire, which erupted Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles’ West Hills. The wildfire has already consumed more than 800 acres, and authorities are treating the area near Victory Trailhead as a crime scene as they investigate the fire’s origin.

According to reports, local residents in Woodland Hills spotted the man allegedly attempting to start fires with what appeared to be a blowtorch. Witnesses say the man was riding a bicycle and carrying a propane tank or a flamethrower-like device. Concerned citizens quickly acted, surrounding the man and restraining him until law enforcement arrived.

Renata Grinshpun, a resident of the area, recounted how the community worked together to stop the suspect. “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,” she told reporters. One witness claimed the suspect was determined to continue, allegedly saying, “I can’t stop. I’m not putting this down. I’m doing this.”

The suspect was taken into custody on Ybarra Road and transported to the LAPD Topanga Station. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the man will face formal charges, but the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities continue to treat the Victory Trailhead area as an active crime scene.

The Kenneth Fire is one of five major wildfires devastating Los Angeles County. Combined, these fires have scorched nearly 30,000 acres and forced approximately 130,000 residents to evacuate their homes. The largest of these, the Palisades Fire, has burned close to 20,000 acres and destroyed more than 5,000 homes.

Looting has further complicated the disaster response. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that at least 20 people have been arrested for looting properties damaged or destroyed by the fires.

As firefighters work to gain control over the wildfires, authorities continue to investigate the causes behind the destructive blazes and whether additional arrests will be made in connection to the fires.

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