LA wildfires: Death toll doubles to 10 as arson investigated after new Kenneth wildfire erupts
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The death toll from the major Los Angeles wildfires has risen to ten, officials said, as a suspected arsonist was arrested after a new fast-moving blaze erupted threatening more celebrity homes. The fast-moving Kenneth Fire started in the late afternoon in the San Fernando Valley near the West Hills neighbourhood and close to Ventura County as an urgent evacuation order was issued. The blaze burned near the affluent suburbs of Calabasas and Hidden Hills - home to celebrities like the Kardashians.
"We are expecting this fire to rapidly spread due to high winds," Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass said due to strengthening winds into Friday morning. A number of citizens detained someone in the West Valley area, close to where the flames are burning from the latest blaze.
Investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department are looking into whether that individual was responsible for starting the fire, according to reports. Earlier wildfires have already wreaked destruction, torching thousands of properties, including many homes to stars, and risked major tourist destinations such as the famous Hollywood sign.
The Eaton Fire near Pasadena that started on Tuesday night has burned more than 5,000 structures. To the west in Pacific Palisades, the largest of the fires burning in the LA area has destroyed more than 5,300 structures. All of the large fires that have broken out this week in the Los Angeles area are located in a roughly 25-mile band surrounding the city.
