By GB News (World News) | Created at 2025-01-12 19:11:16 | Updated at 2025-01-12 23:39:05
4 hours ago
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
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Rory Calluk Sykes died of carbon monoxide poisoning
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Three 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.
“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.”
