A man has been arrested on suspicion of starting a new wildfire in Los Angeles which erupted on Thursday afternoon.
Locals in the West Hill region of the city detained a man who was later arrested by police in connection with the Kenneth Fire, which grew rapidly overnight and has spread to more than 800 acres.
Senior lead officer, Charles Dinsel confirmed that a man was caught trying to start a fire.
The individual was spotted by locals near Ybarra Road at around 4.30pm local time, before they called 911.
”About 20 to 30 minutes later a suspect was detained over in Woodland Hills area by citizens. It is being investigated as a crime,” an LAPD spokesperson said, adding that the man was arrested five miles from where the fire is believed to have started.
Arson investigators are also looking into the start of the Palisades fire, according to a report.
Twenty-one officials, including 16 arson investigators and a sniffer dog, are working on the case, the Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley told CNN.
It came as the death toll from the fires grew to ten people, and it is expected to rise further.
The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner said the remains of these people are still being identified.
Thousands of firefighters continue to battle five massive wildfires that are ravaging almost 30,000 acres around Los Angeles.
At least 900 firefighters have been deployed to contain the new Kenneth fire.
Other fires in the region include the Palisades Fire to the west of Los Angeles, the Eaton Fire to the north of Pasadena and the Sunset Fire that is ravaging the Hollywood Hills.
The Los Angeles Fire Department had issued mandatory evacuation orders for Hidden Hills residents who are close to the Kenneth fire but officials downgraded that to warnings.