1Florida man charged with sparking massive Palisades Fire that devastated Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA – A Florida man who once lived in Pacific Palisades has been arrested and charged with starting what became one of Los Angeles’ most destructive wildfires, according to federal prosecutors.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, also known as “Jon Rinder,” was taken into custody Tuesday in Melbourne, Florida.

He faces a federal charge of destruction of property by means of fire after investigators determined he deliberately set the blaze that ultimately grew into the January Palisades Fire.

Officials say Rinderknecht’s actions triggered a chain of events that led to widespread devastation across the Pacific Palisades area and caused multiple deaths.

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