LOS ANGELES (AP) — A 29-year-old man has been charged with starting a fire that eventually became the most destructive blaze in Los Angeles history, wreaking havoc on the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, federal law enforcement officials announced Wednesday.
Authorities allege that Jonathan Rinderknecht set the fire on New Year's Day, which was initially extinguished but resumed burning underground, leading to a massive flare-up during high winds. Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli disclosed that Rinderknecht fled the scene but later returned to watch it burn.
After lying to investigators about his whereabouts during interviews, Rinderknecht was apprehended in Florida and appeared in court facing serious charges related to the case. Although authorities declined to provide specific details on how the fire was started, the investigation suggests it was deliberately ignited.
The catastrophic fire, which erupted on January 7, tragically claimed the lives of 12 individuals and obliterated over 6,000 homes and structures in the affluent coastal community. The flames tore through hillside neighborhoods, destroying luxury homes with stunning views of both the ocean and downtown Los Angeles.
Evidence has pointed to the blaze being intentionally lit, potentially using a lighter on vegetation or paper. Investigators have also ruled out other possible causes including fireworks, lightning, and power lines, while stating that a cigarette was not responsible for the ignition either.
Despite the initial challenges in containment, the flames continued their rampage, leading to a significant loss of life and property. An outside review released in September pointed to the insufficient resources and inadequate policies for emergency alerts which delayed evacuation notices to residents, aggravating the devastation.
The investigation into the second fire, known as the Eaton Fire, which broke out the same day in Altadena and led to further fatalities, remains ongoing.
