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A man who was detained by citizens after he was observed with a blowtorch near the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles where wildfires are raging won’t be charged with arson, authorities announced.

In a dramatic viral video that fueled speculation that the fires that have destroyed thousands of homes are being set intentionally, the encounter between the twenty-something-year-old man who had a blowtorch and propane tank was recorded by a local news outlet and subsequently exploded on social media. The incident took place in the vicinity of the Kenneth Fire which threatened to consume homes north of the 101 Freeway.

Citizens moved decisively to subdue the individual, reportedly a homeless man, who was attempting to light a fire in the 21700 block of Ybarra Road, according to police.

“We were sitting in the backyard, and suddenly, we hear a car come to a screeching halt, and the guy is running out saying, ‘Stop! Drop what you’re holding! Neighbors, he’s trying to start a fire! Call 911!’” witness Renata Grinshpun recalled, according to KTLA.

“We really banded together as a group. A few gentlemen surrounded him and got him on his knees. They got some zip ties, a rope and we were able to do a citizens’ arrest,” she said.

The man reportedly claimed that he was using the device which was also described as a “flamethrower” “to smoke marijuana” and that he “couldn’t afford a lighter.”

At a Friday news conference, LAPD Divisional Chief Dominic Choi said that after police investigated and interviewed the suspect, he would not face arson charges.

“After the interview and additional investigative steps, looking at some additional evidence that was present, they made the determination that there was not enough probable cause to arrest this person on arson or suspicion of arson,” he said. The individual was instead arrested for a probation violation felony.

“Only in Gavin Newsom’s lawless California can you be arrested with a BLOWTORCH in a fire zone and not have quite enough probable cause to get charged with arson,” wrote an X user, reacting to the LAPD’s announcement.

Other users weighed in.

“The investigation is ongoing,” Choi added. “I would like to thank those community members that were involved … in bringing this person to our attention.”

Chris Donaldson
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