Police hunt arsonist after 20 fires hit Los Angeles overnight

[News_Editor]

Police hunt arsonist after 20 fires hit Los Angeles overnight

2011-12-31 07:49:53 GMT+7 (ICT)

LOS ANGELES (BNO NEWS) -- As many as twenty suspicious fires were set in Hollywood and the City of Los Angeles on early Friday morning, police said. One firefighter was injured while responding to one of the fires.

Sheriff's officials said the first fire was set just after midnight Friday in a car port in West Hollywood, which is a city in Los Angeles County. Over the next two hours, officials say, at least four other fires were started throughout the area in car ports. No residents were injured in any of the fires, but one firefighter was transported to the hospital after falling from a ladder.

At the same time, up to 15 other fires were started in the city of Los Angeles, which is within a two-mile (3.2 kilometer) radius of West Hollywood. "The City of West Hollywood arson fires are definitely related to the LA City fires," said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Arson/Explosives Detail Detective Ed Nordskog.

Several of the fires burnt in homes and other buildings, including the former home of U.S. musician Jim Morrison, according to the DPA news agency. Dozens of residents had to be evacuated from an apartment building after two fires were set shortly after 2 a.m. local time. The last fire was started after 4 a.m.

Early estimates indicate that the fires in West Hollywood alone have caused at least $350,000 in damage, and the Los Angeles Sheriff and fire departments say they will have extra staff working on Saturday morning.

"We are very fortunate that these outrageous crimes didn't result in injuries or death," said Captain Kelley Fraser at the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station. "We are asking for the public's help in the search for the arsonist(s). If you saw or see anyone or anything suspicious, please report it immediately."

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-12-31