Serial Arsonist Suspected as 21 Arson Fires Hit Hollywood
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Hemera Technologies/Thinkstock(HOLLYWOOD, Calif.) — Investigators believe a string of over a dozen fires in Hollywood on Friday, mostly starting in cars and damaging several vehicles and homes, were the work of a serial arsonist, law-enforcement sources told ABC News.
No serious injuries were reported, although a firefighter suffered minor injuries. The former home of the late rock star Jim Morrison was among the properties affected by the fire, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Investigators are reviewing surveillance tapes in their search for the arsonist.
The fires began at 1 a.m. and caused extensive damage to a building on North Cahuenga Boulevard, where three vehicles were burned out. The fire spread from the carport to the apartment above, fire officials said at a news conference, according to ABC affiliate KABC in Los Angeles.
“We have so many that are going around hitting occupancies just like this, carports with residents above,” Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Greg Gibson said at the news conference.
Two apartment buildings had to be evacuated. “I woke up really scared. I heard somebody saying, ‘Fire, fire,'” Daniel Meza of Hollywood told KABC.
The Los Angeles Fire Department went on tactical alert while authorities hunted for the arsonist, allowing officials to pull in resources from other areas to help fight the fires.
It was not clear whether the incidents on Friday were related to three arson fires that struck Hollywood Thursday. Samuel Arrington, 22, and a second suspect were arrested in connection with those incidents.
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