Firefighters catch man setting fires in San Gabriel Valley
Officers arrested a man for arson on Sunday afternoon after firefighters caught him actively lighting fires in Irwindale, according to the city’s police department.
Irwindale Police said crews with the Los Angeles County Fire Department were in the area for a small brush fire near Rivergrade Road and the 605 Freeway around 12:30 p.m. when they saw the arsonist in action.
Police officers responded to the area and detained the suspect, who the department identified as 29-year-old Ruben Montes of Baldwin Park.
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Crews with the Los Angeles County Fire Department were on the scene of a small brush fire near Rivergrade Road and the 605 Freeway when they saw a man actively lighting fires in the area. January 2025. (Irwindale Police Department) -
Crews with the Los Angeles County Fire Department were on the scene of a small brush fire near Rivergrade Road and the 605 Freeway when they saw a man actively lighting fires in the area. January 2025. (Irwindale Police Department) -
Crews with the Los Angeles County Fire Department were on the scene of a small brush fire near Rivergrade Road and the 605 Freeway when they saw a man actively lighting fires in the area. January 2025. (Irwindale Police Department) -
Crews with the Los Angeles County Fire Department were on the scene of a small brush fire near Rivergrade Road and the 605 Freeway when they saw a man actively lighting fires in the area. January 2025. (Irwindale Police Department)
Details are limited and initial reports did not state where Montes was booked, but police confirmed that he was ultimately arrested for arson.
“We thank our partners at LACOFD for their quick actions and teamwork to help bring this dangerous situation under control,” said Irwindale Police in an X post.
Officials did not immediately say whether the suspect started the small brush fire that LACOFD responded to, or if there are any ties to the other fires currently burning in Southern California.
Although the department’s report did not include further information about the status of the small brush fire, the attached photos show LACOFD personnel mopping up what seems to be an extinguished area.
No injuries or damaged structures were reported as a result of this incident.