Homeless Man Accused Of Starting Kenneth Fire As Los Angeles Wildfires Escalate

A homeless man has been arrested in connection with the massive Kenneth Fire that erupted Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles’ West Hills. The blaze has already scorched over 800 acres and continues to threaten nearby communities as authorities investigate the incident as a potential act of arson.

The fire broke out around 2:30 p.m. near Victory Trailhead. Shortly afterward, residents in the Woodland Hills neighborhood reported seeing a man attempting to ignite fires with what appeared to be a blowtorch. Witnesses claimed the man was carrying a large propane tank while riding a bicycle. Quick-thinking locals surrounded the man and detained him until police arrived on the scene.

Renata Grinshpun, a local resident, described how her neighbors acted swiftly to subdue 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 said. One witness added that the man appeared 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 near Ybarra Road and transferred to the LAPD Topanga Station. While formal charges have not been announced, authorities confirmed that the area surrounding Victory Trailhead is now being treated as a crime scene as the investigation unfolds.

The Kenneth Fire is part of a series of devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles County. Five major fires have already burned nearly 30,000 acres, forcing more than 130,000 residents to evacuate. The largest, the Palisades Fire, has destroyed over 5,000 homes and consumed almost 20,000 acres.

Adding to the crisis, reports of looting have emerged from evacuated neighborhoods. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has arrested at least 20 individuals for looting homes damaged by the wildfires.

As firefighters continue battling the relentless flames, investigators are working to uncover the full scope of the destruction and whether additional suspects may be responsible for igniting these catastrophic fires.

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