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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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8

LA Fire Began as Arson: Feds

With blaze having killed 2 firefighters, sheriff begins homicide investigation

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(Newser) – The wildfire that has burned 144,000 acres north of Los Angeles was set by arsonists, the US Forest Service said this afternoon. With the blaze having killed two firefighters, authorities are now treating the matter as homicide, KTLA-TV reports, and the LA County Sheriff’s Department has begun an investigation. The fire, now 38% contained, has cost $27 million to fight, and has destroyed 116 buildings, including 64 homes.

The hillside smolders near Mt. Wilson in the Angeles National forest north of Los Angeles today.
The hillside smolders near Mt. Wilson in the Angeles National forest north of Los Angeles today.   (AP Photo)
Dave Johnson looks over the remains of his home, destroyed by the Station fire north of Los Angeles.
Dave Johnson looks over the remains of his home, destroyed by the Station fire north of Los Angeles.   (AP Photo)
Duncan Baird, a 62-year-old retired firefighter, pauses for a moment today amid the ruins of his home, destroyed by wildfires north of Los Angeles.
Duncan Baird, a 62-year-old retired firefighter, pauses for a moment today amid the ruins of his home, destroyed by wildfires north of Los Angeles.   (AP Photo)
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8 comments
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rajanKazhmin
Sep 3, 09 8:43 PM CDT
What kind of a jerk would do such a thing? Reply
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
guanlob
Sep 3, 09 8:50 PM CDT
Yer a jerk! I know- Yer a jerk! I know! Jerk! Jerk! Jerk!
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-2
IN RESPONSE:
cornelison
Sep 4, 09 3:36 AM CDT
Usually someone with low self-esteem. Let's hope that it isn't a kid. Hopefully, school children are made aware of things like this.
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0
MrBisme
Sep 3, 09 10:11 PM CDT
I'm curious how they know it wasn't an accident. Seems premature to label someone a murderer without knowing who did it or how it happened. At the same time, maybe it was.... assholes Reply
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-1
youngblood
Sep 4, 09 1:21 AM CDT
what is it with these assholes setting fire to something so majestic and beautiful? We should make the penalty for setting fires really insane so that these pyromaniacs think twice before lighting the match! Reply
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+3

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