LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities in California have charged a 29-year-old man with starting a deadly fire that erupted into the most destructive blaze in Los Angeles history and destroyed much of the wealthy Pacific Palisades neighborhood, officials announced Wednesday.
Federal law enforcement officials accused 29-year-old Jonathan Lindernecht of lighting the New Year’s fire, which was first extinguished by firefighters, but continued to stoke underground before reigniting during high winds.
This outdated photo provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office shows Palisade fire suspect Jonathan Rinderknecht. (U.S. Attorney’s Office via AP)
Rinderknecht was arrested in Florida on Tuesday and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. He faces charges including malicious destruction by fire. Aisha Nash, the federal public defender assigned to represent Rinderknecht, has not responded to The Associated Press’ request for comment.
Rinderknecht fled the scene of the original fire but returned to the same trail to watch it burn, Essayli said.
“He left as soon as he saw the fire engine heading towards the location. He turned around and came back there.
According to the criminal complaint, Rinderknecht also made several 911 calls to report fires.
In a Jan. 24 interview, Rinderknecht told investigators he did not know where the fire started, information that has not yet been released, and whether he had witnessed it, the complaint said.
He lied about his location, claiming he was near the bottom of the hiking trail, the essay said.
Special Agent Kenny Cooper of the Los Angeles Field Division’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, second from left, U.S. Attorney Bill Esseri, second from left, and Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell, right, announced a press conference held at Palisades Fire. (AP Photo/Dami Andor Bergergen)
According to the complaint, the suspect was visibly worried during that interview. His efforts to call 911 and his questions on ChatGpt about lighting a cigarette meant he “wanted to preserve his own evidence of attempting to assist in suppressing the fire and wanted to produce evidence regarding a more innocent explanation for the cause of the fire,” the complaint said.
Investigators determined the Jan. 1 fire was intentionally lit by a lighter carried in vegetation and paper, according to the criminal complaint. They ruled out other possibilities, including fireworks, lightning, and power lines. Authorities also investigated whether cigarettes started the fire but concluded it was not the cause, the complaint states.
Investigators found a “barbecue-style” lighter inside the glove compartment of Rinderknecht’s car on Jan. 24. Based on his cell phone photo on Dec. 31, it appeared to be the same lighter that was in his apartment. He admitted to bringing a lighter with him as he walked up the hill.
The blaze that erupted on January 7 killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,000 homes and buildings. pacific palisadesa wealthy coastal area of LA. The fire tore through the hillside neighborhood, destroying a mansion with spectacular views of the ocean and downtown.
The devastation of the Palisade fire is seen at sunset in Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisade neighborhood on January 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope, File)
Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the second blaze, known as the Eaton Fire. Altadena Community Killed 18 people.
both fires It burned for several days, reducing block after block of entire neighborhoods to gray and black debris.
External reviews released in September Resources and outdated policies Sending an emergency alert delayed evacuation warnings.
A report commissioned by Los Angeles County supervisors said a series of weaknesses “hampered the county’s response, including outdated policies, inconsistent practices, and weak communications.
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Seewer reported from Toledo, Ohio. Associated Press reporter Eric Tucker contributed in Washington, D.C.
