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Netizens have reacted to the latest reports of a suspected arsonist getting apprehended by the LAPD in connection to the California wildfires. The wildfires broke out on Tuesday, January 7, in greater Los Angeles and have caused widespread damage to life and property.
As per KTLA, the 7 alleged arsonist was arrested on Thursday night near the Kenneth Fire. Locals first spotted him attempting to light a fire in the 21700 block of Ybarra Road in Woodland Hills at around 4:30 pm. They held him down until the police arrived. According to Fox LA's Elex Michaelson, the suspect is a homeless man in his 30s and is currently in custody.
The KTLA report further stated that locals noted that the man appeared to carry something that resembled a “propane tank or a flamethrower.” A resident also saw him light something behind a vehicle on fire.
Reports of the arrest sparked reactions from several users on social media, especially X. They compared him to Luigi Mangione, the prime suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare's CEO Brian Thompson on December 4.
"He wanted his Luigi moment but he’s ugly and evil," a fan wrote on X.
"LA wildfire could have been our new Luigi Mangione if it was as precise as him," commented another.
"He’s like the opposite of Luigi, just ugly," opined a user on X.
One individual opined that the alleged arsonist causing the California wildfire would be the same kind of person as Mangione. They wrote:
"If it is arson, I think a political motivation would be more likely. The radical left hate those that they see as "rich", even when they're on the same side of politics. The arsonist would be the same kind of person who cheers for Luigi Mangione."
"So, Luigi Mangione killed a CEO to get awareness of the healthcare systems flaws. And now we got a bunch of fires burning in the hills in affluent areas and now the Hollywood Hills. Are they set arson fires done up in the hills and then moving from spot to spot? Is this the new way of getting attention, or am I thinking too much, just seems totally crazy IMO," theorized another.
Some other reactions on X pertaining to the suspected arsonist behind California wildfires are as follows:
"Anyone who started a fire or participated in the detrimental lack of preparation, is responsible for the terror, suffering, and de@th of Americans. They should be criminally prosecuted as terr0rists, especially the politicians and government officials," a user commented.
"He definitely wasn't the one who started any of them they just need someone to take the fall," opined another.
"Catching the suspect is just the first step. Now the focus must shift to ensuring accountability and addressing the motives behind such reckless actions," inferred a user on X.
KTLA reported that the Kenneth Fire was first reported at around 2:30 pm in a dry and bushy area in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space north of the 101 Freeway. By 9:00 pm, the fire had grown to cover over a thousand acres with 35% containment.
What we know about the California wildfires till now
As per NBC news, a series of devastating wildfires have ravaged entire streets and burned multi-billion dollars worth of property in greater Los Angeles. The California wildfires started on Tuesday, January 7, and have killed over 10 people and forced at least 180,000 people to evacuate.
The Palisades wildfire has been one of the most destructive among the California wildfires, burning through almost 20,000 acres and destroying 5,000 structures. As per NBC, it has been 6% contained. The idyllic neighborhood of Palisades is also the home of several celebrities. Many of their multi-million dollar properties have been burned to the ground. This includes A-listers like Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, Mandy Moore, DJ FaZe Kaysan, Billy Crystal, and the like.
The Eaton Fire in the Pasadena area has destroyed at least 4,000 structures and burned through 13,690 acres. As of Thursday night, it should not be contained at all.
The Kenneth Fire is the latest of the California bushfires and reportedly started yesterday. Originating in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles, the fire burned for a while before the progress reportedly stopped. Although evacuations were started in full flow, they were later downgraded, according to officials.
The strong and dry winds likely cause the massive scale of the California wildfires. At least five major places have been set ablaze because of the strong winds, including ones not known for bushfires.
