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Fox LA received exclusive pictures of the dramatic citizen’s arrest that unfolded Thursday afternoon in Woodland Hills, California, as locals detained a person they are saying was trying to spark a new blaze in an already wildfire-ravaged area.

The incident occurred close to the Kenneth Fire, which ignited north of the Palisades fire and is at the moment threatening local neighborhoods.

The suspect, described as a person in his mid-20s, was once allegedly armed with a blow torch and propane tank. According to witness bills, the person tried to light something on fireplace in the back of a van prior to neighbors took motion to prevent him.

NEW: @FOXLA has completely got video of a person carrying a blow torch in Woodland Hills, CA Thursday now not some distance from the Kenneth Fire. LAPD says the man is in custody however “can’t verify any connection to any fireplace through this suspect”. #CaliforniaWildfires #KennethFire %twitter.com/ULwxtnfsdj

— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) January 10, 2025

Law enforcement quickly arrived, but best after voters secured the person with rope and zip ties.

“What we know right now is the incident came about; began here,” defined Sean Dinse, Senior Lead Officer of the Los Angeles Police Division’s Topanga Division, in an interview with KTLA 5. “And about 20 minutes half-hour later, a suspect was detained over the Woodland Hills house by way of electorate.”

The suspect reportedly claimed he was once the use of the device “to smoke marijuana” as a result of he “couldn’t have the funds for a lighter.”

The Kenneth Hearth has unfold to just about 1,000 acres with 35 percent containment, whereas more than one other fires continue to wreak havoc in southern California.

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