The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Local
    • Palmdale
    • Lancaster
    • Los Angeles County
    • Littlerock
    • Lake Los Angeles
    • Rosamond
    • Edwards AFB
    • Acton
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Advertise
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Show Search

Series of small fires along 14 Fwy [updated]

by City News Service • July 29, 2017

PALMDALE – A series of seven small fires that burned along the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway early Saturday in Palmdale and Lancaster were likely ignited by a vehicle with a mechanical failure, not arson, authorities said.

“There is no evidence of an arson,” the sheriff’s department Arson/Explosives Detail reported on Facebook at about 5:45 p.m. Saturday. “It appears the fires are consistent with being caused by a vehicle mechanical failure.”

The first fire was reported shortly after 12:30 a.m. Saturday, July 29, on the southbound side of the freeway near Avenue N, authorities said. After that, about 10 to 15 fires were reported from Avenue K to Avenue S, said Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Ed Pickett.

Witnesses reported that a vehicle was intentionally starting the fire using charcoal briquettes, California Highway Patrol reported.

The largest of the fires burned about two acres, Pickett said.

More than 70 firefighters were sent to battle the flames.

County firefighters were able to put out all the fires by 2:30 a.m., the CHP reported.

They originally reported at least 15 small fires, but the sheriff’s department said it investigated seven.

Editor’s note: Details in the story have been updated to reflect the most recent information reported by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

–

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety, Lancaster, Palmdale

2 comments for "Series of small fires along 14 Fwy [updated]"

  1. Danielle M says

    July 31, 2017 at 8:18 am

    Maybe this should be a wake up call to California to have stricter laws on people who don’t maintain their vehicles properly? I see people all the time who are driver around cars that shouldn’t be on the road, whether it’s bumpers half falling off, bald tires, smoke from the exhaust? If a mechanical failure caused all of these fires, maybe this car shouldn’t be road worthy???

    • troll hunter says

      July 31, 2017 at 9:02 am

      “Safety” inspections? CA abandoned those years ago…however, LEO’s can cite/ticket drivers for obvious safety issues with their vehicles. It’s called personal responsibility and I for one think there’s more than enough laws already on the books.

      http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayexpandedbranch.xhtml?tocCode=VEH&division=12.&title=&part=&chapter=&article=

Recent Comments

  • UK Strain on Rising case numbers raise potential for Additional LA County business closures: “Barbara Ferrer should be appointed Surgeon General of the US.” Jan 15, 18:59
  • Struck/Killed on Man struck, killed by car in Lancaster; driver injured: ““…when a pedestrian was walking in the roadway in what appears to be in a westbound direction.” A homeless person…” Jan 15, 18:54
  • Stinger on Readers Speak Out!: “The only one here spreading lies and attempting psy ops (poorly) is you, and everyone knows it (including you).” Jan 15, 18:49
  • Stinger on Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy reported being at Capitol on day of insurrection: “Extraordinary claims require proof. As usual, you have none, because there is none. If there was any, your orange baboon’s…” Jan 15, 18:44
  • AV Illegal on Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy reported being at Capitol on day of insurrection: “You are funny….I know you are in a recreational weed state so I understand. I guess going around an individual…” Jan 15, 18:29

© 2021 · The Antelope Valley Times. All rights reserved. Terms of Use