A man who was detained by citizens shortly after a wildfire exploded near Calabasas and West Hills is not accused of starting the fire, authorities announced Friday morning.
Los Angeles police responded to Woodland Hills at around 4:30 p.m. local time Thursday when a 911 caller said a man was attempting to light a fire in the 21700 block of Ybarra Road, police said.
Residents who spotted the suspect held him down until officers arrived. Photos shared on the Citizen app show officers surrounding a home where the man was handcuffed.
“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!’” recalled Renata Grinshpun, who witnessed the incident.
At the same time, several miles to the west, firefighters from Los Angeles and Ventura counties were racing to contain the Kenneth Fire, which threatened homes north of the 101 Freeway.
The fire was ultimately halted at 1,000 acres, and no structures were lost.
At a news conference Friday morning, LAPD Divisional Chief Dominic Choi said police investigated the case, interviewed the suspect, and ultimately decided he would not face arson charges.
“After the interview and additional investigative steps, looking at some additional evidence that was present, they made the determination that there was not enough probable cause to arrest this person on arson or suspicion of arson,” Choi said.
Instead, the man was arrested on a felony probation violation.
“The investigation is ongoing,” Choi said. “I would like to thank those community members that were involved … in bringing this person to our attention.”
The cause of the Kenneth Fire remains under investigation.
Crews across Southern California continued to battle two of the most destructive wildfires in California history: the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades and Malibu and the Eaton Fire in Altadena and Pasadena.
As of Friday, the causes of both fires were still undetermined.
