A man has been arrested and charged in connection with a series of arson incidents that took place in New Orleans' Bywater neighborhood early Monday morning. Kyle Thomsen, 35, is accused of setting fire to eight vehicles and one home, as reported by WDSU. The New Orleans Fire Department responded to multiple calls starting at around 1:46 a.m., which resulted in the discovery of the fires spread across several blocks.
The suspect was apprehended on a Tuesday night after law enforcement officials managed to quickly identify and locate him. "This level of terrorism we're not going to stand for," Mayor Helena Moreno stated in reaction to the fires, as per a statement obtained by FOX8. Newly installed surveillance cameras played a crucial role, enabling authorities to catch Thomsen within 48 hours of the incident, according to information revealed in a NOLA.com report.
No injuries were reported as four individuals managed to escape from the house fire at 3138-40 Dauphine Street — 1-A at a two-story occupied dwelling. The affected areas include the 3100 block of Dauphine Street where three vehicles were set ablaze, the 800 and 900 blocks of Desire Street where a total of four vehicles were lit, and the 700 block of Montegut Street featuring one vehicle fire. The suspect is facing four counts of aggravated arson and nine counts of simple arson,according to WDSU.
In the wake of the destruction, Mayor Moreno referred to the deliberate fires as "really domestic terrorism." Todd Perley, a resident of the 3100 block of Dauphine Street, described the harrowing moment when he and his tenants were awakened by firefighters already battling the vehicle fires nearby— a pounding on the door and an explosion "from all over the street when the cars were going up," Todd Perley told FOX8. Among the immediate responses from the community included several GoFundMe campaigns to aid those affected by the fires. Crimestoppers has also offered a reward for information leading to an arrest, suggesting that the investigation is ongoing, with tips to be submitted anonymously by calling (504) 822-1111.
