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Florida Man Charged in Deadly Palisades Fire that Killed 12
8 Oct
Summary
- Florida man arrested for allegedly starting Palisades Fire
- Palisades Fire destroyed over 23,000 acres, killed 12 people
- Eaton Fire on same day damaged 9,400 buildings, killed 19
On October 8, 2025, authorities announced the arrest of a Florida man in connection with the deadly Palisades Fire that ravaged the Los Angeles area earlier this year. According to officials, 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht is suspected of "maliciously" igniting the fire that eventually grew into the Palisades Fire.
Investigations revealed that the Palisades Fire may have started near the site of an earlier blaze, the Lachman Fire, which was initially contained to about 8 acres on January 1. However, catastrophic Santa Ana winds are believed to have rekindled the Lachman Fire, causing it to spread and become the much larger Palisades Fire.
The Palisades Fire ultimately destroyed over 23,000 acres in the Santa Monica, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades regions, demolishing more than 6,800 structures and claiming the lives of 12 people. Authorities also noted that another fire, the Eaton Fire, started the same day in the Los Angeles area, damaging over 9,400 buildings and resulting in 19 fatalities, though the cause of that blaze remains unknown.
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Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated that Rinderknecht's arrest "will offer a measure of justice to all those impacted" by the devastating Palisades Fire. The suspect is scheduled to appear in court in Orlando, Florida, on October 8, 2025.
