Over the last four days, a total of 55 fires have been started by a single arsonist across the Los Angeles area, according to fire officials, with just 12 started last night. Early this morning, emergency responders rushed from blaze to blaze in West Hollywood, on Laurel Canyon Road and in Sherman Oaks. Luckily it’s a holiday, as firefighters had to block Laurel Canyon Road and stopped vehicles from accessing the pass.

Although the police have arrested a “person of interest”, they are still encouraging residents of the greater Los Angeles area, including Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley to look out for each other, talk to their neighbors and keep their lights on in their carports and on their porches. They are also encouraging residents to report anything suspicious to the authorities.

Fire officials also say that this is the worst, and most destructive, rash of arsons in the city since the Los Angeles Riots back in 1992! Detectives are working around the clock to analyze the hundreds of clues and interview dozens of witnesses to find out who is doing this and why.

Yesterday, the Los Angeles police released surveillance footage of the “person of interest” who they are interviewing today, which was taken in a parking structure in Hollywood: a middle-aged white man with a bald spot and a shoulder-length ponytail.

Crimes against fashion aside, if this man is responsible for this incredible amount of arson, it is an “attack on the heart and soul” of firefighters and public safety officers, says Pat Butler, the assistant fire chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department. It is suspected that there is a group or even teams of people involved in setting these fires.

But why? Rick Price, a retired firefighter and arson investigator for the LAFD, explained that usually many arsonists set fires out of spite. Although he admits that in this case, with the wide geographic range of the fires, it’s less likely. He suggest that it might be vandalism or a “pirate”, and we don’t think he means Captain Jack Sparrow. Vandalism can have ties to gang activity, but since a white, middle-aged man with a ponytail is the main suspect, that sounds unlikely in this case.

Have you been affected by one of these arson fires? Please get in touch with us immediately. Not only are we experts in restoration, we also have years of experience dealing with insurance companies and claims. Let us help turn this unpleasant experience around for you, with our swift response, trained professionals and superb work. we’ll have your garage and house back to its original state in no time. Call now to schedule a visit from our team: 877-732-8471.