West
Los Angeles wildfires: California firebug arrest caught on video as police warn of arsonists
FIRST ON FOX VIDEO: Police and residents of Azusa, California, a small city in Los Angeles County, teamed up Friday to stop a suspected arsonist in his tracks as at least three large wildfires threaten the region and winds are expected to pick up again.
With increased officers on patrol amid the wildfire emergency, Azusa Police Department Capt. Robert Landeros said the first responding officer quickly arrived on the scene at Pioneer Park around 11:30 p.m. after neighbors confronted the homeless suspect, who was still there when the first officer arrived.
“This was intentional,” Landeros told Fox News Digital on Monday. “Some of the neighbors confronted him, stopped him from setting an additional fire in the park.”
Video shows an Azusa officer handcuffing a man just steps from a billowing brush fire, which authorities say county firefighters quickly extinguished.
ESSENTIAL PHONE NUMBERS FOR LOS ANGELES-AREA RESIDENTS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP THEM
Azusa police have arrested a 39-year-old homeless arson suspect, Jose Carranza-Escobar, just steps from a small brush fire that they say he admitted to lighting as Los Angeles battles multiple large wildfires. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
Police have identified the suspect as 39-year-old Jose Carranza-Escobar, “a transient” whose last known address was also in Azusa. They said he admitted to starting the brush fire.
The arrest comes as firefighters continue to battle at least three active wildfires in Los Angeles County that have killed at least 24 and damaged thousands of homes and businesses.
Carranza-Escobar has been charged with three separate arson charges and is facing nine years in state prison if convicted.
SALTWATER USED TO COMBAT FLAMES COMES WITH IMMEDIATE BENEFITS BUT LONG-TERM RISKS
Azusa police have arrested Jose Carranza-Escobar, a 39-year-old homeless arson suspect, just steps from a small brush fire that they say he admitted to lighting as Los Angeles battles multiple large wildfires. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
Landeros said Azusa police and partner agencies, including Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman’s Office, the county sheriff’s office, arson investigators in neighboring departments and the California National Guard are taking a “zero-tolerance” approach to arson as high winds and the dry climate fuel raging wildfires across Southern California.
“Everybody’s out there,” he said. “We’re watching. Even our citizens are.”
As of Monday night, 10 people have been arrested for looting and arson, Hochman said at a press conference. Nine arrests have been tied to looting in both the Palisades and Eden fires, with one person being arrested for arson.
According to Hochman, Damari Bell and Martrell Peoples are charged with first-degree residential burglary, looting and grand theft after both men allegedly stole more than $200,000 worth of belongings. If convicted, Peoples, a convicted felon, could face a potential sentence of life in prison due to California’s Three Strikes Law.
Travon Coleman, who accompanied Bell and Peoples out of a Koreatown apartment, was allegedly driving a second vehicle and sped off while Bell and Peoples were stopped, running a red light and crashing into another vehicle. Coleman is charged with one count of felony hit-and-run causing great bodily injury and is also facing a maximum sentence of life in prison under the Three Strikes Law.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE WATER DROPS IN CALIFORNIA DURING WILDFIRES
Azusa police have arrested 39-year-old homeless arson suspect Jose Carranza-Escobar just steps from a small brush fire that they say he admitted to lighting as Los Angeles battles multiple large wildfires. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
The foothills outside town are a high-risk fire area and also have homeless encampments, where fires have broken out before, he said.
“We’re constantly conducting enforcement operations in that area,” he said. “Residents are obviously on edge when there are major fires.”
Strong winds are expected to return to the region this week, which could fuel the existing fires as crews continue to fight them. The winds can both fan flames and knock down trees and branches that can burn.
Pictured are 16 individuals arrested in Santa Monica for violating emergency orders – none of them are from the area, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. Six were found in possession of “burglary tools,” according to the Santa Monica Police Department, while others were charged with violations ranging from drug possession to parole violations. Two were in possession of stolen handguns; others were in possession of stolen materials, according to the department. (Santa Monica Police Department)
“Azusa PD urges everyone to remain alert as fires continue to affect the county,” Landeros said in a statement over the weekend. “We must be cautious of individuals who may enter our community with the intent to start fires.”
Last week, another group of Los Angeles residents stopped a homeless man seen carrying a blowtorch. He was taken into custody, but police said they didn’t have enough evidence to charge him with arson.
Video of that incident shows him holding a torch head and a yellow fuel tank before at least five residents surrounded him and tackled him to the ground.
Fox News’ Julia Bonavita contributed to this report.
Read the full article from Here
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A family-run Chinese restaurant in Honolulu’s Chinatown is gearing up for Lunar New Year festivities.
Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood Restaurant owner Karen Tam and her son Kirave Liang joined HNN’s Sunrise to showcase their dim sum and Chinese specialties.
Lunar New Year specials include a special jai with 18 vegetarian ingredients and the sweet, sticky, steamed rice cake gau in brown sugar and coconut flavors, which symbolize good fortune and prosperity.
”We eat food with a lucky meaning to start the great year,” Tam said. “We have jin dui (sesame balls) every day.“
Feb. 17 marks the start of the year of the Fire Horse, when families gather to celebrate with big meals and auspicious dishes. Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood will offer set party menus and special orders for foods not commonly found in Honolulu, such as whole stuffed duck, braised abalone in oyster sauce, and basin meal.
“It’s the biggest fest of the year. We celebrate Chinese New Year by eating with family in a round table,“ Tam said.
Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood also has private rooms with karaoke systems and a banquet hall to accommodate small family gatherings to large parties.
Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood is located on 111 N. King St. and is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, There is street parking and paid parking behind the restaurant on Nimitz and Maunakea.
For more information, visit hawaiidimsumseafood.com or follow on Instagram @hawaiidimsumseafood.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Interstate 84 near Mountain Home is back open after crews closed the freeway due to utility work.
Crews closed westbound and eastbound lanes on Saturday morning from milepost 90 to milepost 95 due to Idaho Power working on power lines in the area, according to the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office. All lanes are now back open in both directions.
The sheriff’s office and the Mountain Home Police Department apologized for the inconvenience, saying they were just informed of the closure on Saturday morning.
More information regarding road closures and traffic conditions can be found at the Idaho Transportation Department’s 511 map.
Copyright 2026 KMVT. All rights reserved.
The French owner of the Swiss bar where 40 people died in a fire during new year celebrations has told investigators a service door had been locked from the inside.
Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the Constellation bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, was taken into custody on Friday, as prosecutors investigated the tragedy.
Most of the 40 people who died were teenagers, and another 116 people were injured.
Moretti told the Valais public prosecutor’s office that he had found out about the locked door just after the deadly fire.
When he arrived at the scene, he forced open the door, according to excerpts from police reports published by several French and Swiss media outlets confirmed to AFP by a source close to the case.
Moretti said he had found several people lying behind the door after opening it.
Initial findings suggest the fire was caused by sparklers coming into contact with soundproofing foam installed on the ceiling of the establishment’s basement.
Questions are also being raised regarding the presence and accessibility of fire extinguishers, and whether the bar’s exits were in compliance with regulations.
No safety inspections at site of Swiss bar fire for past five years, mayor says
“We always add a sparkler candle when we serve a bottle of wine in the dining room,” said his wife and co-owner, Jessica, who was released after Friday’s hearing.
Moretti told investigators he had carried out tests and the candles were not powerful enough to ignite the acoustic foam.
He said he bought the foam in a DIY store and installed it himself during renovations carried out after buying the establishment in 2015.
Regarding the presence of numerous underage kids in the bar at the time of the tragedy, Moretti said the establishment prohibited anyone under the age of 16 and that customers aged 16 to 18 had to be accompanied by an adult.
He said he had given these “instructions” to the security staff, but acknowledged that “it is possible that there was a lapse in protocol”.
The couple is suspected of “negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson”.
Delaware Department of Technology & Information implements CloudNuro SaaS Management Platform
What Rick Barnes is searching for after Tennessee’s brutal loss to Florida
Alabama linebacker to transfer to Georgia Tech
What’s Cooking: Celebrating Lunar New Year with Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood
Interstate 84 near Mountain Home back open after utility work
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Video: Raising a Baby in Altadena’s Ashes
Trump signs order to protect Venezuela oil revenue held in US accounts
What Canada, accustomed to extreme winters, can teach Europe
New video shows fatal Minnesota ICE shooting from officer’s perspective
Federal judge blocks Trump from cutting childcare funds to Democratic states over fraud concerns
-
Detroit, MI7 days ago2 hospitalized after shooting on Lodge Freeway in Detroit
-
Technology4 days agoPower bank feature creep is out of control
-
Dallas, TX5 days agoDefensive coordinator candidates who could improve Cowboys’ brutal secondary in 2026
-
Dallas, TX2 days agoAnti-ICE protest outside Dallas City Hall follows deadly shooting in Minneapolis
-
Iowa4 days agoPat McAfee praises Audi Crooks, plays hype song for Iowa State star
-
Delaware2 days agoMERR responds to dead humpback whale washed up near Bethany Beach
-
Health6 days agoViral New Year reset routine is helping people adopt healthier habits
-
Nebraska4 days agoOregon State LB transfer Dexter Foster commits to Nebraska