Multiple outlets reported that a suspect has been arrested in connection with a small brush fire that erupted in Griffith Park on Monday afternoon. According to KTLA, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the blaze just after 1 p.m. at an address just below Griffith Observatory and controlled the fire by approximately 1:30 p.m. The Los Angeles Police Department detained a man, believed to be transient after a witness reportedly saw him lighting a fire on Glendower Avenue and then leaving the scene.
The suspect, described as a homeless man in his 30s with a history of lighting fires, was arrested following witness reports and a photo sent to police, as reported by NBC Los Angeles. The Griffith Park area, along with other Los Angeles parks, had been closed Monday due to a red flag warning indicating severe fire risk conditions. The fires come at a time when Los Angeles County firefighters are already battling the destructive Eaton Fire, and Palisades Fire, two of the most lethal fires on record in California.
Officials did not immediately release the identity of the suspect, but the fire he is accused of starting was extinguished within 31 minutes and did not grow above a quarter acre, as stated by LAFD. The suspect was apprehended in the 1700 block of Kenmore Avenue after an initial response at the 2900 block of Glendower Avenue, noted ABC7. The fire reportedly started during a red flag warning due to "very strong Santa Ana winds" with low humidity levels. No structure damage was reported.
Responding teams, including ground crews and at least one water-dropping helicopter, quickly doused the flames. "All threatened structures were successfully defended and undamaged," the LAFD, affirmed in a statement obtained by NBC Los Angeles.
