An apocalyptic, fast-moving fire that prompted mass evacuations in Calabasas and Hidden Hills is being investigated as an arson and a suspect has been arrested.
The Kenneth Fire is raging through the West Hills at a rapid pace, and 900 exhausted first responders have been pulled from other high-priority infernos in Southern California to protect homes and try to contain the flames.
Now, LAPD Senior Officer Charles Dinsel told NewsNation that a suspect is in custody and is suspected of intentionally setting the fire.
“Approximately 20 to 30 minutes later, citizens detained a suspect in the Woodland Hills area,” he said.
“It is being investigated as a crime.”
Dinsel was asked directly if he believed the fire was intentionally set, and he said, “Right now, that’s what we believe.” Yeah.’
He said there was no clear motive, adding that the area is now being “closed” for further investigations.
Sources told DailyMail.com that a resident called 911 to report a man trying to start a fire in the 21700 block of Ybarra Highway around 4:30 p.m.
The suspect was arrested and taken to the Topanga station.
The Kenneth Fire is raging through the West Hills at a rapid pace, and 900 exhausted first responders have been pulled from other high-priority infernos in Southern California to protect homes and try to contain the flames.
An apocalyptic, fast-moving fire that prompted mass evacuations in Calabasas and Hidden Hills is being investigated as an arson incident, and a suspect has been arrested.
Sources told DailyMail.com that a resident called 911 to report a man trying to start a fire in the 21700 block of Ybarra Highway around 4:30 p.m.
Heroic first responders were alerted to the latest fire on the upper Los Angeles-Ventura County border, which is rapidly spreading through the West Hills and invading homes in nearby Calabasas and Hidden Hills.
Authorities issued a chilling warning Thursday night urging residents not to ignore evacuation orders, with Sen. Adam Schiff stating bluntly: “If you stay, you’re going to die.”
“We cannot confirm any connection to any fire at this time,” said Los Angeles Police Department Drake Madison.
Heroic first responders were alerted to the latest fire on the upper Los Angeles-Ventura County border, which is rapidly spreading through the West Hills and invading homes in nearby Calabasas and Hidden Hills.
Authorities issued a chilling warning Thursday night urging residents not to ignore evacuation orders, with Sen. Adam Schiff stating bluntly: “If you stay, you’re going to die.”
“If you get an evacuation order, get out,” he said. “You may think you can escape a fire, but you can’t escape these fires. If you stay, you will die in them.
The fast-moving Kenneth Fire already covers 960 acres and threatens the Malibu Canyon area north of Highway 101 near Calabasas, home of Kourtney Kardashian and Will Smith. Kim and Khloe Kardashian live in nearby Hidden Hills.
Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued as firefighters drop water bombs from the sky in an effort to contain the fire, which is being driven by strong Santa Ana winds.
The highway out of Calabasas is already gridlocked by heavy traffic as locals heed warnings and leave their homes.
Residents across Southern California have been warned for days to have bags full of documents and important possessions packed and ready to grab in case of an emergency.
The fire was reported at 50 acres at 3:45 p.m., but had exploded to 791 acres by 4:45 p.m. By 6 p.m., it encompassed 960 acres.
Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued as firefighters drop water bombs from the sky in an effort to contain the fire, which is being driven by strong Santa Ana winds.
Mandatory evacuation orders are in place in Calabasas and Hidden Hills, causing chaos on the roads.
Helicopter drops water on Kenneth wildfire in Woodland Hills
The combined death toll from all the fires has risen to seven, but officials have warned it is likely to continue to rise as dogs trained to detect human remains gain access to the charred remains of properties in fire-ravaged neighborhoods.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna urged “patience” with official death counts.
“At this point, frankly, we still don’t know,” he said. ‘I think the death toll will increase. I hope I’m wrong.’
Across Los Angeles, about 180,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, while another 200,000 have been put on alert and warned to consider fleeing their homes.
Los Angeles County officials say an evacuation order alert for residents near the Kenneth Fire in West Hills was mistakenly sent countywide Thursday afternoon.
The alert was only intended for residents of Calabasas and Agoura Hills.
In Los Angeles, about 180,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, while another 200,000 have been put on alert and warned to consider fleeing their homes.
Locals were ordered to evacuate as fires continue to spread across Southern California.
Kim Kardashian’s $60 million home is in Hidden Hills
The last threatened suburbs, Calabasas and Hidden Hills, are home to the Kardashians.
Los Angeles County officials say an evacuation order alert for residents near the Kenneth Fire in West Hills was mistakenly sent countywide Thursday afternoon. The alert was only intended for residents of Calabasas and Agoura Hills.
The damage caused by the two largest fires, the Pacific Palisades and Eaton, has been immense. According to authorities, up to 10,000 structures have been destroyed.
Cal Fire spokesman David Acuña provided a chilling new warning for Californians as they look to the future and consider rebuilding their lives.
“There really isn’t a fire season, it’s a fire year,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for 20 years and I’ve never seen it this bad.”
Similarly, Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin said, “The level of devastation is staggering.”
Neither of the two large fires have been contained at all.
Eaton now covers 13,690 acres, while the larger Palisades fire extends beyond 17,200 acres.