Federal Judge Keeps Arson Suspect in Jail Amid Mental Health Concerns
Jonathan Rinderknecht, charged with igniting California's deadly Palisades Fire, will remain in custody as concerns about his mental state and flight ...
California Man Charged in Devastating Pacific Palisades Fire
• Crime, Politics, California, Los Angeles, fire, Pacific Palisades, Jonathan Rinderknecht, destructive blaze, intentionally lit, arrest, investigators, evacuation warnings, rtwnews.com, California Man Charged in Devastating Pacific Palisades Fire
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, faces charges for igniting a fire that killed 12 and destroyed over 6,000 properties in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES (RTWNews) — Authorities in California have charged 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht for allegedly starting a fire that later grew into the deadliest blaze in Los Angeles history, wreaking havoc across the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, federal officials announced on Wednesday.
According to acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, Rinderknecht is accused of igniting the fire on New Year’s Day, which was initially extinguished but smoldered underground and reignited six days later due to strong winds.
After fleeing from the initial fire, Rinderknecht returned to the area to observe the damage. During an interview with investigators, he reportedly provided false information about his whereabouts, stating he was at the bottom of the hiking trail at the time.
He was apprehended Tuesday in Florida and was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. The specifics regarding how he allegedly started the fire have not been disclosed by authorities.
The fire, which broke out on January 7, resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals and obliterated over 6,000 homes and structures within the affluent Pacific Palisades area. This catastrophic event reduced luxurious hillside homes with breathtaking views to ashes.
Investigators believe the fire was intentionally set, potentially by using a lighter on vegetation or paper. They ruled out other potential causes like fireworks and cigarette butts. An investigation into a separate fire, the Eaton Fire, which started the same day, continues, as it claimed an additional 18 lives.
A report released in September indicated that inefficiencies and outdated emergency protocols led to delayed evacuation warnings in response to the fires. An external review highlighted significant flaws in the emergency response, including communication failures and inadequacies in alert systems.
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