By Daniel Sutton
The suspect accused of lighting fires across Los Angeles has been identified as a 24-year-old German man.
Harry Burkhart – who had charcoal fire-starters in his mini-van and was caught on camera leaving the scene of two of the fires – was arrested early this morning, local time. He smiled at arresting officers and told them, "I hate America".
Police allege he expressed that hate in a four-night arson spree, setting cars, garages and apartments alight; in one two-hour period eleven fires were blazing across the city.
Burkhart’s mother was deported last week, just before the fires started. Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says there have been no more fires since Burkhart was detained.
The damage bill is expected to run into the millions, with 53 sites across Los Angeles in need of clean-up and repair.
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