Arson Suspect Arrested in $30 Million Downtown Inferno

A suspect was behind bars today in connection with a massive arson fire that destroyed an under-construction, seven-story apartment complex in downtown Los Angeles and burned so intensely it melted nearby freeway signs and damaged neighboring buildings.

Los Angeles police confirmed to City News Service that an arrest had been made, but did not immediately release the suspect’s name. NBC News identified him as 56-year-old Dawud Abdulwali of Los Angeles.

Sheriff’s jail records show that Abdulwali was arrested Tuesday by the LAPD’s Anti-Terrorism Division. He is being held in lieu of more than $1 million bail.

The LAPD investigated the Dec. 8 fire along with the Los Angeles Fire Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The overnight fire caused $25 million to $35 million in damage.

The fire also damaged two nearby office towers owned by the city.

Rewards totaling $170,000 were offered for information leading to the person who set the blaze.

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City News Service

Photo Credit: Twitter user Marcus Yam ‏@yamphoto

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