LOS ANGELES, CA – Authorities are investigating a potential link between a man detained in Woodland Hills and the Kenneth Fire, which erupted on Thursday afternoon and quickly scorched parts of the West Hills area, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed Friday.
The arrest occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. Thursday near Arcos Drive and Galendo Street in Woodland Hills. Residents reported seeing a man on a bicycle carrying a large blowtorch and attempting to ignite dry Christmas trees and garbage cans. Witnesses said the man appeared determined, disregarding concerns about his actions in an area already grappling with a major wildfire.
One neighbor described the alarming situation: “He was very focused, saying, ‘I can’t stop. I’m not putting this down.’ We had to step in. You just can’t have that happening with the fires right now.”
Residents banded together to confront the man, eventually restraining him with zip ties before police arrived. Videos from the scene captured officers taking the man into custody.
A law enforcement source disclosed that the individual may be connected to the Kenneth Fire or potentially the Franklin Fire, although specific details regarding his involvement remain unclear.
During a Friday morning press briefing, LAPD Assistant Chief Dominic Choi stated there was insufficient evidence to charge the man with arson or suspicion of arson at this time. Instead, the man was arrested for violating the terms of a felony probation. The case is still under investigation.
The Kenneth Fire, which began in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, has burned hundreds of acres, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds. Residents in surrounding neighborhoods remain on high alert as officials continue efforts to determine the cause of the blaze.
