Looters 'dressed as firefighters' arrested after plundering burnt houses following LA wildfires that have killed 16
Firefighters battle raging Pacific Palisades wildfire in LA area
Looters “dressed as firefighters” have been arrested after plundering evacuated homes in Los Angeles as deadly wildfires that have killed 16 sweep through California.
Los Angeles police have confirmed that at least 20 people have been arrested after being caught pillaging through the deserted neighborhoods, with two even going so far as to pose as emergency workers.
“Looting is an issue, the number of arrests is continuously growing,” Captain Mike Lorenz of the Los Angeles Police Department told a community meeting in the Palisades yesterday evening.
“We even made arrests of two individuals that were actually posing as firefighters coming in and out of houses,” he added.
Los Angeles police have confirmed that at least 20 people have been arrested after being caught pillaging through the deserted neighborhoods
Getty/Reuters
LA Sheriff Robert Luna said that the looters do not live in the areas where they have been arrested, and stated that they have “zero business” in being there.
Extreme winds have exacerbated the roaring blaze, as flames engulfed hillsides in the Golden State, with US officials declaring a state of emergency.
The death toll currently stands at 16, however, the number is expected to rise after cadaver dogs go through the ruins of the devastated neighbourhoods.
Among the dead is British former child star Rory Calluk Sykes, who died of carbon monoxide poisoning at his family’s home in Malibu on Wednesday. He was known for appearing on the 1990’s Kiddie Kapers show.
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California governor Gavin Newsom has announced an independent investigation after the fire hydrants used to tackle wildfires ran dryReuters
Rory Calluk Sykes died of carbon monoxide poisoning
XThree blazes continue to burn around Los Angeles, with the fire threat remaining "very high" due to strong winds, LA county officials have said. The largest fire is in the Palisades, which has burnt through 23,000 acres.
California governor Gavin Newsom has announced an independent investigation after the fire hydrants used to tackle wildfires ran dry.
Tanks with water were emptied due to what authorities say was “tremendous demand”, with some residents attempting to put out the flames with water from their pools and garden hoses.
Fire chief Kristin Crowley has just announced that city officials are currently preparing for a new surge of wind which will likely spread the fire again.
The wildfires could potentially become the most destructive in the state of CaliforniaReuters
A ‘high-pressure anticyclone’ will thrust powerful inland winds through California fuelling deadly wildfiresReuters
Extreme winds exacerbated the issue, as flames engulfed hillsides in California, as US officials declared a state of emergencyREUTERS“Strong north to north east winds with gusts of up to 50mph and low humidity are expected today with a red flag warning in effect until 6pm on Wednesday,” she told a press conference.
“Strong Santa Ana winds are also expected to last through Wednesday with the strongest winds occurring on Tuesday. With the next wave of wind events, I want to be very clear here. It’s very important the community understands that these wind events are coming into Los Angeles.
“I want to reassure you that Mayor Bass, Chief McDonald and I are united and focused on exactly what we need to do to prepare the city with these next strong winds that are coming.
“Every available LAFD firefighter is on hand and will remain in place through this wind event. Additionally, firefighters continue to pour into Southern California region to bolster our firefighting capabilities.”
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