Los Angeles police reportedly arrested a man suspected of attempting to light a fire near the Kenneth Fire area.
The arson suspect was arrested Thursday in Woodland Hills as fire crews continued battling flames burning near homes in Calabasas and West Hills, KTLA reported.
At around 4:30 p.m., police responded to reports of a man attempting to light a fire. Photos shared on the Citizen app showed officers surrounding a home where the man was handcuffed.
The TV station reported residents held down the suspect until officers arrived.
"We were sitting in the backyard and suddenly, we hear a car come to a screeching halt and the guy is running out saying, 'Stop! Drop what you're holding! Neighbors, he's trying to start a fire! Call 911!'" Renata Grinshpun told KTLA.
Grinshpun said neighbors left their homes and cornered the suspect. They then held him down.
She added that the suspect had what appeared to be a large "propane tank or a flamethrower" and a neighbor saw him trying to light an object on fire behind a vehicle.
"We really banded together as a group," Grinshpun said. "A few gentlemen surrounded him and got him on his knees. They got some zip ties, a rope, and we were able to do a citizens' arrest."
Authorities have not confirmed whether the man, whose identity was not released, had any connection to the current wildfires.
"What we know right now is that the incident occurred here and about 20-30 minutes later, a suspect was detained by citizens," said Sean Dinse, from LAPD's Topanga Division.
Wildfires have charred hillsides, homes and streets in Los Angeles County, engulfing iconic L.A. neighborhoods and tearing through the Hollywood Hills. So far, 10 people have been killed and nearly 10,000 structures have been destroyed.
The Kenneth Fire was first reported around 2:30 p.m. in an area of dry just north of the 101 Freeway. The fire then grew to 1,000 acres with 35% containment by 9 p.m.
"Just finished interviewing LAPD — they tell me Victory Trailhead is now a crime scene and Kenneth Fire is an arson investigation with 1 person in custody. Kenneth Fire is up to about 900 acres," NewsNation's Brian Entin posted on X.
Reuters contributed to this story.