Palmdale Fire Spree May Have Been Intentionally Sparked By Charcoal Briquettes

PALMDALE (CBSLA.com) – A series of about seven small spot fires burned along the 14 Freeway early Saturday in Palmdale and Lancaster, and were possibly ignited by a driver using charcoal briquettes.

The first fire was reported shortly after 12:30 a.m. 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.

Authorities were looking for the driver possibly responsible for the fires and were following up on leads from witnesses.

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