A firefighter works as the Hughes Fire burns on January 22, 2025 in Castaic, California. The wildfire has spread 9,400 acres and has prompted mandatory evacuations just over two weeks after the Eaton and Palisades Fires caused widespread destruction across Los Angeles County. Brandon Bell/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Brandon Bell / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
October 8, 2025
Man arrested over deadly January fire in Los Angeles — authorities
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Authorities investigating the deadly Palisades Fire that tore through an affluent Los Angeles suburb in January said Wednesday they had arrested a man who they believe started the blaze.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, was taken into custody in Florida, on suspicion of destruction of property by means of fire, Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli said.
“The complaint alleges that a single person’s recklessness caused one of the worst fires Los Angeles has ever seen, resulting in death and widespread destruction in Pacific Palisades,” he said
