Four More Arrested in LA as Death Toll from Fires Reaches 25
Four individuals have been arrested in Los Angeles for attempting to ignite new fires as the death toll rises to 25
Los Angeles, California, Fires, Arson, Death Toll
Los Angeles: Four people were nabbed by the cops for trying to start new fires. This comes as firefighters are working non-stop to battle the blazes that have already claimed 25 lives.
The LAPD shared that these arrests happened in different parts of the city. The death toll from the fires, which kicked off on January 7, has sadly gone up from 24 to 25, according to the LA County Medical Examiner.
Authorities are bracing for the possibility that more fatalities could follow. One of the alleged arsonists is facing serious charges, with three counts against him and a potential nine-year sentence hanging over his head.
Jose Gerardo Escobar was caught on Friday, accused of trying to spark a fire in Azusa. Another suspect was arrested for allegedly using a barbecue lighter to ignite fires in North Hollywood on Sunday night.
Then there was a third arrest on Monday in Van Nuys, where someone lit a brush on fire. The fourth person was caught in West LA after attempting to set a bin ablaze.
On Tuesday, the winds were calmer than expected, but the National Weather Service warned that they would pick up again overnight into Wednesday morning. Right now, over six million people in Southern California are under a critical fire threat.
California Fire reported that the Eaton fire in Altadena is now the deadliest wildfire in the region’s history, with 17 lives lost, over 14,000 acres burned, and 7,000 structures destroyed.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Palisades fire has devastated one of LA’s wealthiest neighborhoods, becoming the second most destructive fire ever in the area, burning 23,000 acres and destroying 5,000 structures, with at least eight fatalities.