LOCAL : 2nd Firebug Sought in Arsons

The Los Angeles Fire Department this morning was investigating 12 more small fires that were set Wednesday night in the Reseda-Northridge area, bringing to more than 40 the number of arson fires in the area since early December, authorities said.

The fires were set in the general vicinity of Reseda Boulevard, north of Saticoy Street, between 6:30 p.m. and midnight, Fire Inspector Ed Reed said. In each instance, either a palm tree or a pile of rubbish was deliberately set on fire, Reed said. One of the palm tree fires spread to the roof of a nearby home but caused only minor damage, he said.

“The fires all appear to be linked,” Reed said. The latest fires also may be linked to more than 30 similar fires that were set in the same area beginning Dec. 3, Reed added.

Earlier this week, arson investigators arrested a 16-year-old Reseda boy who admitted he started six of the fires, Reed said. But the boy denied responsibility for any other fires and was in custody in Sylmar Juvenile Hall when the last 16 fires were reported.