Serial arsonist suspected of setting fire to parked cars, whose flames spread to nearby houses in densely populated area
Los Angeles police are seeking a serial arsonist or arsonists suspected of starting up to 35 fires in Hollywood in two days, damaging buildings and cars throughout the area.
Those responsible are thought to have started the fires by setting vehicles alight. The flames then spread to nearby houses, including one in Hollywood Hills once occupied by the Doors singer Jim Morrison which inspired the song Love Street. At one stage 21 fires were set in four hours.
Following the fires, police have reinforced patrols and urged the public to remain vigilant. In nearly every case, the fire started in a parked car.
Firefighters described how new outbreaks of fire were relayed to them as they were already attending incidents. All of the fires were within two square miles and most were in densely populated residential neighbourhoods.
Los Angeles officials offered at least $60,000 (�39,000) for information leading to the conviction of an arsonist or arsonists. They also warned people to be vigilant against further attacks.
"We are hoping for the best but anticipating and preparing for the worst," said Brian Cummings, the Los Angeles city fire chief. Antonio Villaraigosa, the mayor of LA, told a press conference: "They are working around the clock to investigate these crimes and they are pursuing every single lead to apprehend any person or persons responsible for these dangerous and criminal acts."
Power was disrupted in several neighbourhoods and police were put on alert in the Hollywood area.
"This is the most dense part of Los Angeles and west Hollywood. We have 20,000 people per square mile living in this area. One fire out of control could cost dozens of lives," said John Duran, mayor of west Hollywood, where four of the fires were set. "Turn yourself in whoever you are. Stop it, stop it. We will not tolerate this in west Hollywood, in Los Angeles or anywhere in our neighbourhoods," he said.
NBC also broadcast a message from Duran to the arsonists in which he said: "What were you thinking? This is the most dense part of Los Angeles. If you're trying to say something, this is not the way to say it."
The fires followed another series of arson attacks on Thursday in the area of Sunset Boulevard for which two people have been arrested, leading to suspicions that the Friday fires could have been the work of a copycat arsonist or that the fires are linked.
Tom LaBonge, a city council member, said the arsonist was mostly targeting underground car parks in older apartment blocks that had no security gates and putting incendiary devices under cars. "These are not trash can fires on street corners. We are just a second away from tragedy," he said.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/31/la-police-arsonist-fires-hollywood
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