Authorities have released images of a “person of interest” believed to be connected to the massive fire that forced the closure of the 10 Freeway on Nov. 11. The blaze completely decimated a storage yard filled with pallets, construction materials, and used vehicles, spreading about eight acres as it torched the area underneath the extremely busy thoroughfare used by hundreds of thousands to get to and from downtown Los Angeles. Cal Fire officials described the suspect as a man in his 30s who is around 6-feet tall and weighs between 170 and 190 pounds. He has black hair and appears to have suffered visible burn injuries on his left leg. Unfortunately, an arson investigation remains underway and no arrests have been made. Authorities urge anyone who recognizes the individual in the images above to call Cal Fire’s arson hotline at 1-800-468-4408.
Despite the ongoing construction and the prediction that the freeway would not be reopened until early-December, surveyors determined that the deck was much sturdier than they had previously thought. As such, all lanes are expected to be reopened to traffic as soon as Tuesday. No injuries were reported in the fire, but at least 16 homeless people living in an encampment there were taken to shelters, according to Mayor Bass.
The ongoing investigation indicates that the fire was likely started with “malice intent.” In the days since the fire, traffic has been severely impacted, with officials urging commuters to consider public transit in order to avoid the congestion altogether. The closure of the 10 Freeway also caused severe impacts on traffic, forcing around the clock reparations from Caltrans and construction crews. This has sparked public outrage, with mass speculation and concern over how the arsonist evaded capture and their motives behind initiating this heinous act.
