Update: Saturday, 11 January 2025, 7am
A suspect is currently in police custody after being apprehended by Los Angeles residents in the Woodland Hills area on 9 January. The suspect was stopped by members of the public and later taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) following reports of suspicious behaviour linked to the ongoing Kenneth Fire.
According to a statement released by the LAPD late on the evening of January 9, officers were called to Ybarra Road in the 21700 block after receiving reports of a possible arson suspect. Local residents reported hearing a man claim that someone was attempting to start a fire, sparking immediate concerns among those nearby.
LAPD News:
Today, at 4:32 p.m., a radio call was generated on the 21700 block of Ybarra Road for a possible arson suspect. A male was heard stating a suspect was “attempting to light a fire.” The suspect is in custody and was transported to Topanga Station.— LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) January 10, 2025
‘Today, at 4:32 p.m., a radio call was generated on the 21700 block of Ybarra Road for a possible arson suspect,’ the LAPD said in a tweet posted to X (formerly Twitter). ‘A male was heard stating a suspect was ‘attempting to light a fire.’ The suspect is in custody and was transported to Topanga Station.’
Despite the arrest, the LAPD has emphasised that their investigation is still ongoing, and they cannot yet confirm any direct link between the suspect and the Kenneth Fire. The department clarified, ‘We are continuing our investigation, and we CANNOT confirm any connection to any fire by this suspect at this time.’
The Kenneth Fire, which broke out earlier on January 9, has caused widespread concern across Los Angeles, with authorities urging caution as the blaze continues to be monitored.
The investigation into the suspect’s activities and potential involvement in starting fires remains active. Authorities have yet to release further details regarding the individual’s identity or the precise circumstances leading to the arrest.
This arrest serves as a reminder of the heightened vigilance within communities affected by wildfires, with local residents playing an active role in reporting suspicious activity.
Update: Friday, 10 January 2025, 7am
Wildfires that have already devastated vast areas of Los Angeles have now spread to the heart of Hollywood, raising fears as they approach iconic landmarks, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The Kenneth Fire, which ignited in the San Fernando Valley, quickly advanced into neighbouring Ventura County, while the Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires continue to wreak havoc across the region. Authorities have confirmed that over 10 000 homes and structures have been destroyed so far.
As the fire threatens even more of Los Angeles, officials are urging residents to follow evacuation orders, especially with high winds forecast to fuel further rapid spread. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned that conditions could worsen, with wind gusts expected to intensify overnight.
In Hollywood, a blaze that erupted late Wednesday came close to the historic Hollywood Bowl, one of the city’s most beloved cultural venues. Fortunately, quick action from fire crews and aerial water drops brought the flames under control, allowing evacuations to be lifted by Thursday.
While firefighters have progressed in combating some of the region’s largest blazes, the toll continues to mount, with at least seven confirmed fatalities and thousands of homes lost.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fires but are working around the clock to contain the destruction.
A wildfire sweeping through Los Angeles’ exclusive Pacific Palisades neighbourhood has forced evacuations of over 30 000 residents, including several high-profile Hollywood stars, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The blaze, which grew from just 10 acres to a staggering 3 000 acres in mere hours, has disrupted life in the affluent area known for its celebrity homes and serene charm.
Streets usually teeming with fans hoping for glimpses of stars are now packed with firefighters battling the inferno.
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis appeared visibly emotional on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, recounting the devastation of a wildfire engulfing her neighbourhood while urging viewers to support disaster relief efforts. A long-time Red Cross ambassador, Curtis emphasised the importance of preparedness, encouraging audiences to donate, give blood and keep emergency kits ready.
Among those affected, Star Wars icon Mark Hamill recounted a harrowing escape from his Malibu home.
‘It was so last-minute there [were] small fires on both sides of the road,’ Hamill wrote on Instagram, likening the fire to the devastating 1993 Malibu blaze.
Hamill later confirmed he and his family had safely reached their daughter’s home in Hollywood.
Eugene Levy of Schitt’s Creek fame described the scene as he evacuated: ‘The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon,’ he told the Los Angeles Times.
Reality TV stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag lost their family home to the fire. Pratt’s sister expressed heartbreak on Instagram, revealing that even the local fire station in the Palisades had succumbed to the flames.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, who own a $26 million mansion in the area, were among those forced to evacuate.
Mandy Moore shared on Instagram that she had to leave with her pets, saying she was ‘praying and grateful for the first responders.’
Miles Teller, star of Top Gun: Maverick, and his wife Keleigh Sperry also fled their home. Sperry posted a photo of the flames along with a heartbreak emoji, urging evacuees to leave water out for displaced wildlife.
James Woods, known for his roles in Casino and Nixon, described leaving his home as ‘like losing a loved one’ in a post on social media.
Firefighters continue to face extreme conditions, including hurricane-force winds gusting up to 95 km/h, which have hampered efforts to contain the fire.
California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed the deployment of over 1 400 firefighters, with more reinforcements on the way.
Pacific Palisades, often seen as a haven for Hollywood’s elite, has now become a symbol of vulnerability.
The fire’s devastation has prompted many stars to express gratitude for the tireless efforts of first responders as the fight against the flames continues.
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Picture: Apu Gomes / Stringer / Getty Images
