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Man detained following Los Angeles arson spree

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By Theresa Seiger - email
Surveillance footage released by the LAPD shows a man with a ponytail near the scene of suspected arsonous fires Friday night. (Source: Los Angeles Police Department) Surveillance footage released by the LAPD shows a man with a ponytail near the scene of suspected arsonous fires Friday night. (Source: Los Angeles Police Department)
Firefighters battle one of the 55 fires that have plagued Los Angeles residents since Friday. (Source: CNN) Firefighters battle one of the 55 fires that have plagued Los Angeles residents since Friday. (Source: CNN)

LOS ANGELES (RNN) - The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has detained a man in connection with a string of arson fires that started Dec. 30, 2011.

Sunday, authorities released video surveillance footage of a person of interest near the scene of the arsons. He is described as a man with a light complexion and a ponytail.

The police have not said if the detained man is the one shown on the released video.

Monday morning the Los Angeles Fire Department said that at least eight fires were set within an hour, according to CNN. Of these, three were vehicle fires while another was an apartment complex carport.

According to Los Angeles firefighter Erik Scott, the LA area has seen 55 "fires of concern" since Dec. 30 with a majority - 45 - started in the Los Angeles area. An additional nine were started in West Hollywood with one in Burbank.

On Dec. 30, firefighters got their first report of a fire in West Hollywood around 12:30 a.m. An additional four fires were started in the next hour and a half, all started as vehicle fires in apartment carports.

"The total damage is estimated to be $350,000," said Battalion Chief Jon O'Brien of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. "Ten vehicles with a total value of about $185,000 were damaged or destroyed. Four structures suffered about $150,000 in damage as well as another $15,000 in damage to personal property."

Hollywood, which is part of the city of Los Angeles, saw similar early morning activity that was immediately linked with the incidents in West Hollywood.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of who has been dubbed the "Hollywood arsonist." The County and City of Los Angeles are offering an additional $25,000 each for information.

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