Man arrested on suspicion of having set the Palisades fire
Some men just want to see the world burn.
And this man may be one of them [hat tip: commenter “Kate”]:
The suspect, 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht, was arrested at his home in Melbourne, Florida, on Tuesday, officials said during a press conference Wednesday. He will make an initial appearance in Orlando on Wednesday.
Officials accuse Rinderknecht, also known as Jonathan Rinder, of starting the Lachman Fire just after midnight on New Year’s Day that “maliciously damaged and destroyed, by means of fire, specifically, the fire known as the Lachman Fire and Palisades Fire,” a criminal complaint obtained by Fox News said.
While the Lachman Fire was quickly suppressed, officials said it continued burning underground until winds ignited what became the Palisades Fire.
I’m a bit confused by that. How does a fire burn underground and then get ignited by winds?
I know several people who’d lived in Pacific Palisades for about fifty years and lost their homes in that fire.
More:
Rinderknecht was an Uber driver, and he was described by two passengers as “agitated and angry” the night he was accused of starting the fire, according to the complaint.
Officials said during the presser that he was a resident of Palisades and was familiar with the neighborhood he is accused of starting the fire in.
The complaint said Rinderknecht allegedly said that he grew up in France and that he played a French rap song during his rides. The music video for the song “Un Zder, Un The” by the French artist Josman depicts fire scenes.
So, an Uber driver with a fascination with fire? How reassuring. There also seems to have been some anger at the rich as a possible motive:
Prosecutors also allege Rinderknecht used ChatGPT to create images of a “dystopian painting” of a city being burned on one side while “hundreds of thousands of people in poverty are trying to get past a gigantic gate with a big dollar sign on it.”
He’s being charged federally with destruction of property by means of fire – despite the fact that twelve people died in the fire. The charge carries a possible penalty of five to twenty years.
I wonder what other evidence they have against him, if any. A surveillance video would be good, because some angry words to Uber passengers and the creation of an AI painting aren’t very strong grounds for conviction even though he might indeed be guilty.
ADDENDUM: I see that there is cellphone evidence that places him in the vicinity of where the fire was set, at about the right time.
All I’ve read that’s public is they’ve got cell phone location data placing him where and when they think the fire started, I assume it must have been remote enough to narrow suspects down.
Plus, some coincidental ChatGPT requests involving a city on fire.
Set a brushfire, called it in. Fire dept put it out.
Far cry from intentionally setting homes on fire.
Somehow, would feel better if there actually was an arsonist intentionally responsible captured.
This guy is just a punk.
sharksauce:
The requests had to do with the “city on fire” painting i mentioned in the post.
fullmoon:
I assume you don’t live in southern California. Anyone who does live there knows that “setting a brush fire” can lead to widespread destruction as well as deaths.
It is an exceptionally reckless act.
I lived in southern California. One day, driving home, I saw a brush fire about 10 feet square (this was in pre-cellphone days). It took me 2 minutes to get home. By that time the fire was large, it was being covered on TV, and many helicopters were around.
That’s the way it is in that area.
The acting US attorney, who seems competent on many fronts, says they have clear evidence that this fire from Jan. 1 reignited on Jan. 8 and burned down the Palisades. And he says they have solid evidence that the accused started it deliberately. Further charges will be forthcoming; this is an initial charge to get him in custody and then extradited to CA.
Since everything these days is political, we can start by saying this guy at first look doesn’t seem likely to be a conservative. Nor is he the embodiment of “climate change,” which Bernie Sanders and so many leftists blamed for the fire.
From the AI Co-Pilot:
The 1987 Pebble Beach fire, ignited by an illegal campfire, destroyed 36 homes and caused significant damage in the Del Monte Forest area, leading to evacuations and injuries.
That was a little fire on or near the shoreline, and the fire dept. put it out. And winds later whipped it up.
An underground fire is a curious statement. Aside from underground coal fires in coal country, I’m not sure what that means. Large underground tree roots perhaps that continue to burn?
Yes, fires can burn underground on tree roots and other flammable materials. This is a particular problem in many parts of New Jersey. It is the main reason that ground fires are banned in many parks.
Roots can burn underground, even with no evidence of smoke or heat, until the fire appears again at the surface. I have experienced this very scenario, much to my shock and chagrin. Our fire to burn weeds was carefully managed, and thoroughly (we thought) put out. 28 hours later it flared up and proceeded to burn down some lovely trees, and was only put out by a large crew of firefighters, who assured me this happens on a regular basis, often taking several days to a week to resurface. Fire is not picky about it’s fuel, either. The lowly Rabbit Brush, essentially a weed with shallow roots, will do just fine in desert Western Colorado.
Correct, although I have seen and heard every year what Santa Ana winds can do with fire.
I agree exceptionally stupid and reckless, but am not sure he intended to burn houses down. He did call F.D. and they did “put it out”.
Suspect he has lit some before.
Had high school classmate who would set grass fires and fires at the dumps.
Perusing internet a couple of years ago, found he had done prison time as an adult for setting a timed firebomb beneath a rivals home.
My niece and her son escaped Paradise fire. She sent group text saying goodbye and I love you to everyone with flames on both side of the road.
I drove through there 2 weeks ago, depressing. A Few new homes, empty lots with rubble scorched trees,
They survived.
fullmoon:
Reckless doesn’t mean exact and specific intent to burn houses down – although he may indeed have had that intent. It means reckless disregard for the fact that lighting such a fire in that area bears a high risk of spreading to a residential area and causing that sort of damage.
Makes sense.
An automatic death penalty for any arsonist who is convicted of setting a fire that results in deaths. Life imprisonment at hard labor for setting a fire that destroys personal dwellings. An arsonist who imposes the loss of everything people have worked for should carry a proportionate consequence.
People who act upon the desire to ‘watch the world burn’ should receive what they’ve earned.
Neo I’m sure you’ve posted on it but Trump announced a ” deal”.
Well they are saved ( the bureacrats) I wonder how long it will be before he’s branded a righty he is from Florida.
Those underground fires are tricky especially when the wind gets to them.
French rap? He should go to prison for listening to that alone!
Here is a video that shows what they say is the Lachman fire still smoldering (smoking) before becoming the Palisades fire. You have to wonder who decided this fire was out? From “The Right Scoop” site.
https://therightscoop.com/watch-video-shows-lachman-fire-still-smoldering-before-becoming-deadly-palisades-fire-with-no-firefighters-in-sight/
You have to wonder who decided this fire was out?
hh:
Great link.
Of course the LAFD wasn’t even tracking whether their hydrants had water.