New Acts of Arson in SoCal: Who is doing it and why?

Series of Fires Erupt in San Fernando Valley; Causes Under Investigation

KTLA 5 News

Multiple fires broke out in the San Fernando Valley Tuesday morning, including one blaze which prompted a closure on the 118 Freeway and led to three people being temporarily detained.

Traffic was backed up on the 118 Freeway in Granada Hills as firefighters tried to put out a blaze on Oct. 24, 2017. (Credit: KTLA)

Traffic was backed up on the 118 Freeway in Granada Hills as firefighters tried to put out a blaze on Oct. 24, 2017. (Credit: KTLA)

The 118 Freeway fire began shortly before 8 a.m. in an area of heavy brush just north of the freeway and west of Woodley Avenue, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey stated.

Aerial video from Sky5 showed the fire burning over the freeway wall about 8:12 a.m. At one point, flames appeared to be jumping as high as 30 feet in the air.

Officials stopped all westbound traffic while crews worked to douse the flames, which burned about half an acre.

No structures were threatened, according to Humphrey.

A bus and a car were on fire in Sylmar on Oct. 24, 2017, when record-breaking heat and high winds were in the forecast. (Credit: KTLA)

A bus and a car were on fire in Sylmar on Oct. 24, 2017, when record-breaking heat and high winds were in the forecast. (Credit: KTLA)

Fire crews spotted a second blaze a short distance away on the south side of the freeway, which was quickly doused, video showed.

Three people were detained and questioned about the fires, but were later released, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Sal Ramirez said.

Authorities are continuing to search for any possible suspects, Ramirez said.

Firefighters also responded to a blaze in Sylmar that broke out about 8:13 a.m.

Two vehicles were destroyed in the fire, which also burned surrounding trees and threatened a structure in the 15800 block of McQueen Street, Humphrey stated.

The fire was fully contained after about 30 minutes.

No injuries were reported.

Firefighters battle a blaze near the Hansen Dam in Lake View Terrace. (Credit: KTLA)

Firefighters battle a blaze near the Hansen Dam in Lake View Terrace. (Credit: KTLA)

Then, just before 9 a.m., Sky5 was over a fire burning in the Hansen Dam area of Lake View Terrace.

No firefighters were initially at the scene, but a water-dropping helicopter and ground crews arrived a short time later.

The fire had burned about a quarter of an acre, according to the Fire Department.

No structures were being threatened and no evacuations were in place.

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http://ktla.com/2017/10/24/fire-burning-in-granada-hills-shuts-down-westbound-118-freeway/

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