A serial arsonist was arrested after allegedly starting several devastating fires in downtown Los Angeles since July, fire officials said.
Victor Marias, 31, is being held without bail after being taken into custody Thursday, jail records show. He was on active probation for setting a fire at a building in the same area in August 2023.
Los Angeles Fire Department investigators believe he is responsible for a series of fires dating back to July 19, when they were called to Kohler Street between Seventh and Eighth streets, where they arrived to discover a fire that had spread to various commercial buildings.
It took crews more than five hours to extinguish the fire and one firefighter was injured, according to an LAFD statement.
Investigators have obtained surveillance footage of the fire being set, the statement said. This evidence was later linked to three other fires that they also believed Marias had started.
The most recent fire he is connected to occurred on Willow Street on Thursday, as well as another fire at the same location on September 22.
“In both cases, local residents provided surveillance footage showing flammable materials being collected and set on fire,” the statement said. “The assistance of witnesses within the community was critical in identifying and ultimately arresting the suspect. Their willingness to step forward and actively protect their neighborhood from harm is appreciated and commended.”
As their investigation continues, LAFD is asking anyone with information to contact them at LAFDArson@lacity.org.
