Authorities have released images of a “person of interest” who they believe may be connected to the massive fire that forced the closure of the 10 Freeway on Nov. 11.
A raging fire completely destroyed a storage yard, consuming pallets, construction materials, and used vehicles, sprawling across about eight acres. The inferno extended beneath a heavily trafficked thoroughfare, a vital route for hundreds of thousands traveling to and from downtown Los Angeles.
CalFire officials, on Saturday, unveiled images of an individual they are actively seeking in connection with the incident. The suspect is described as a man in his 30s, standing around 6 feet tall, with a weight ranging between 170 and 190 pounds. Notably, he has black hair and, in the images, is seen sporting blue shorts, a black jacket, a black backpack, and a green scarf. Additionally, the individual was observed wearing a knee brace on his right leg. Authorities have released
Authorities also noted that the individual “appeared to have suffered visible burn injuries on his left leg.”
During a press conference on Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, accompanied by other city officials, revealed that the fire was likely ignited with “malicious intent.”
Since the incident, which resulted in the destruction of over 100 columns of the freeway and necessitated continuous repairs by Caltrans and construction crews, traffic has been significantly disrupted. Officials are advising commuters to explore public transit options to circumvent the congestion caused by the aftermath of the fire.