Thanks to the courageous efforts of civilians in a Woodland Hills neighborhood, the police have detained an arson suspect in connection with the Kenneth Fire, for which CAL FIRE has provided an update.
Earlier today (January 10, 2025), a Senior National Correspondent from News Nation named Brian Entin reported that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) informed him that the Kenneth Fire is being investigated as arson.
The Los Angeles wildfires wreaking havoc in Los Angeles, California on January 10, 2025. | Source: Getty Images
Entin also said police officials have a suspect in custody. Several minutes later, the news correspondent posted a video on X further confirming his initial statement. The video showed LAPD Senior Lead Officer Charles Dinsel speaking to News Nation about the situation.
“What we know right now is that the incident occurred, it started here, and about 20 minutes/30 minutes later, a suspect was detained over in Woodland [sic] Hills area by citizens,” divulged Officer Dinsel.
LAPD Senior Lead Officer Charles Dinsel discussing the suspect in connection with the Kenneth Fire during an interview, posted on January 10, 2025. | Source: X/@BrianEntin
The reporter interviewing the officer then asked if this meant someone had purposefully started the Kenneth Fire. Charles responded, “At this time that’s what we believe, yes.”
Currently, police officials do not know the exact details concerning the suspect’s intention, but Officer Dinsel made it clear that the location where the incident took place is labeled as a crime scene area.
LAPD Senior Lead Officer Charles Dinsel talking about the incident. | Source: X/@BrianEntin
Apart from reiterating what Officer Dinsel had mentioned during the news interview, Entin updated the public that the Kenneth Fire’s burning acreage sits at 800+ in his caption above the video.
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
As the police senior lead mentioned, the suspect was apprehended by residents in a Woodland Hills neighborhood. Video footage showing the suspect being arrested by police officers was posted online by a civilian named Renata Grinshpun, who had witnessed the incident.
Police officers detaining the suspect, posted on January 10, 2025. | Source: Instagram/reresellsvroomvrooms
While speaking to KTLA 5 about what happened, Grinshpun revealed, “We were sitting in the backyard and suddenly, we hear a car come to a screeching halt and the guy is running out saying, ‘Stop! Drop what you’re holding! Neighbors, he’s trying to start a fire! Call 911!'”
Upon hearing the commotion from their homes, neighbors rallied together to corner the man, who Grinshpun said had what appeared to be a big “propane tank or a flamethrower,” and hold him down. This happened after one resident spotted the suspect attempting to light an object on fire behind a car.
“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,” shared Grinshpun.
Affecting the counties of Los Angeles and Ventura, the 960-acre Kenneth Fire began on January 9 around 3:34 p.m., according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
Evacuation warnings for the zones between Vanowen South and Burbank Blvd., and from County Lane Road East to E Valley Circle Blvd have been issued, and those with pets or livestock and/or require substantial time to evacuate, are urged to do so ASAP.
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On their website, CAL FIRE also notes that evacuations are being updated frequently, and civilians should check the LA City Evacuation Map for the LA City Evacuation Warning area, as the Kenneth Fire rapidly spreads in the West Hills in Los Angeles County.
Regarding the overall situation of the Kenneth Fire, CAL FIRE states, “Fanned by strong Santa Ana winds, the fire threatens nearby communities and infrastructure, prompting swift evacuation orders. Firefighters from Los Angeles and Ventura counties are actively engaged in containment efforts, deploying both ground crews and aerial resources.”
The department also notes, “The challenging terrain and persistent winds complicate suppression activities, necessitating heightened vigilance from residents and adherence to directives from local authorities.”
