Los Angeles on alert as serial arsonist targets cars

A serial arsonist is apparently on the loose in Los Angeles, with dozens of cars targeted in and around the Hollywood area over the past couple of days. None of the fires have caused injuries so far, but LA police are concerned that car fires could spread to nearby buildings.

Up to $35,000 has so far been offered as a reward for information leading to the capture of the arsonist. Fire crews are being stationed throughout the city in anticipation of more fires over the next few nights, while police are following up the few leads they have in an attempt to catch the elusive fire-lighter before he can attack again.

Some, however, warn that there might be no arsonist at all. There’s a theory going around that a coincidental series of fires are being misinterpreted as the work of a single individual. But that seems a little too optimistic, since in many cases the fires seem to be very specifically targeted.