During the 2011 holiday season, 53 fires were set in the L.A. area, and a 24-year-old German man who said “I hate America” as he was arrested ultimately was indicted for allegedly sparking 46 of the blazes.

This isn't that, but it sure brings up scary memories.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said that eight fires were purposely started within a short span of time in the North Hollywood and Sun Valley areas over the weekend.

“LAFD firefighters and arson investigators were very busy through the night,” said LAFD spokesman Erik Scott.

The blazes started about 3 a.m. and included dumpster fires, a mattress fire that ignited a parked vehicle and “outside fires burning next to a commercial building,” Scott said. 

The fires were quickly doused, he said, and no injuries were reported.


“Six on-call arson investigators responded to the rash of fires, canvasing areas and combing through debris,” Scott said. “They detained and questioned one person of interest, however, that person was released and the cause of the fires remains under active investigation.”

Given fall's propensity for warm and windy weather, this could have been much worse. Scott said investigators were probing possible links between the blazes. Whoever started them is still on the loose.

Anyone with information on this fire bug was asked to call the LAFD's Arson Section at 213-893-9850. 

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