An apocalyptic, fast-moving fire that sparked mass evacuations in Calabasas and the Hidden Hills is being investigated as an arson incident, with one suspect arrested.
The Kenneth Fire is tearing through the West Hills at a rapid rate, with 900 exhausted first responders pulled from other high priority infernos in southern California to protect homes and try to contain the fiery flames.
Now, LAPD senior lead officer Charles Dinsel has told NewsNation that a suspect is in custody, who is believed to have intentionally caused the out-of-control blaze.
He said: ‘About 20 to 30 minutes later a suspect was detained over in Woodland Hills area by citizens. It is being investigated as a crime.’
Dinsel was asked directly if he believed the fire was set intentionally, and he said: ‘At this time, that’s what we believe. Yes.’
Sources told DailyMail.com that a resident called 911 to report a male attempting to set a fire at the 21700 block of Ybarra road at around 4.30pm.
The suspect was arrested and taken to Topanga station. LAPD Drake Madison cautioned: ‘We cannot confirm any connection to any fire at this time.’
Dinsel said there was no clear motive, adding that the area is now being ‘closed off’ for further investigations and is being treated as a crime scene.
As three intense fires – Palisades, Kenneth, and Eaton – burn out of control, authorities are slowly starting to unearth the widespread devastation, with the death toll rising to seven and reports that at least 10,000 structures have been wiped out.
Los Angeles Police says Kenneth Fire currently burning was intentionally set and suspect “was detained by citizens.”
Burning now 800+ acres. pic.twitter.com/acJspnIJKF— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) January 10, 2025
The cause of the first fire, which is currently suffocating 20,000 acres in the Pacific Palisades, is still undetermined.
The alleged arsonist’s arrest has confirmed Hollywood A-listers’ worst fears that their homes are being targeted.
Happy Days star Henry Winkler, 79, wrote on social media: ‘THERE IS an ARSONIST here in LA . May you be beaten you unrecognizable !!! The pain you have caused !!!’
Actress Alison Sweeney responded: ‘Agreed.’
Singer Chris Brown also had his suspicions, writing: ‘Someone starting these fires. S**t don’t add up.’
TV personality Elizabeth Chambers also chimed in, telling her fans ‘feels like this is a lot more than nature.’
After confirmation that a suspected arsonist had been arrested, Winkler updated his initial post, adding: ‘One in custody so far.’
An LA Fire Department official initially dismissed the claim, saying ‘there’s no way to know at this moment exactly where and how the series of fires started, but an investigation is underway.’
Heroic first responders were alerted to the latest fire in the upper Los Angeles-Ventura County border spreading rapidly through the West Hills and encroaching upon homes in nearby Calabasas and Hidden Hills.
Officials issued a chilling warning on Thursday night urging residents not to ignore the evacuation orders, with Senator Adam Schiff bluntly stating: ‘If you stay, you’re going to die.’
‘If you get an evacuation order, get the hell out,’ he said. ‘You may think you can outrun a fire, you cannot outrun these fires. If you stay, you’re going to die in them.’
The fast moving Kenneth blaze is already encompassing 960 acres and threatening the Malibu Canyon area north of the 101 Freeway near Calabasas, home to Kourtney Kardashian and Will Smith. Kim and Khloe Kardashian live in nearby Hidden Hills.
Mandatory evacuation orders were announced as firefighters drop water bombs from the skies in an effort to contain the blaze, which is being spurred on by strong Santa Ana winds.
The road out of Calabasas quickly became gridlocked with bumper to bumper traffic as locals heed warnings and abandon their homes.
Residents across southern California have been warned for days to have bags full of important documents and possessions packed and ready to grab in an emergency.
The fire was reported as 50 acres at 3:45 pm but had exploded to 791 acres by 4.45pm. By 6pm, it encompassed 960 acres.
Later on Thursday, mandatory evacuation orders relating to the Kenneth fire were reduced to evacuation warnings as authorities managed to stop further forward progress.
The combined death toll for all the fires has risen to seven, but officials have warned that is likely to continue to rise as dogs trained to detect human remains are given access to the charred remains of properties in fire ravaged neighborhoods.
Sheriff Robert Luna of Los Angeles County called for ‘patience’ with official death counts.
‘Right now, frankly, we don’t know yet,’ he said. ‘I think the death toll will rise. I hope I’m wrong.’
Across Los Angeles some 180,000 people have been given mandatory evacuation orders, while another 200,000 have been put on alert and warned to consider fleeing their homes.
