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Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Straits Times
Boy, 13, started California wildfire with illegal fireworks, police say
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Around 200 firefighters, two planes, five helicopters and drones were deployed to battle the blaze. A 13-year-old boy was arrested this week, accused of setting off illegal fireworks that sparked a wildfire in Laguna Beach, California, that burned nearly 2ha and led to evacuations and power outages, authorities said. The blaze, called the Rancho fire, started just after 2pm local time (5am Singapore time) on July 7 , as flames burned along a hillside, the Laguna Beach Police Department said in a statement. As the fire spread to 1.9ha , an evacuation order was issued for homes on four streets, and community centres were opened as shelters for displaced residents, officials said. By 5pm on July 7 , the mayor had told residents in a video posted on Facebook that officials already suspected that the fire had been started by fireworks. Police said on July 8 that witnesses had reported seeing a minor who was 'possibly involved in setting off fireworks'. Two minors were detained for questioning but were released after they were found to have been witnesses, police said. Investigators later obtained video evidence that they said showed another minor 'lighting a firework and fleeing the scene '. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump's ambassador nominee to Singapore Anjani Sinha has a rough day at Senate hearing Asia Dr Mahathir at 100: Still haunted by the Malay Dilemma Singapore Academic paper by NUS researchers withdrawn from peer review after hidden AI prompt found Singapore Apex court upholds SMC's conviction of doctor who gave patients unapproved hormones Multimedia 60 objects to mark SG60: Which is your favourite? Singapore Singaporean fugitive arrested in Thailand for suspected drug trafficking and handed over to CNB World Trump issues tariff notices to 7 minor trading partners, hits Brazil with 50% tariff Business SGX securities turnover up 23% in June, bringing financial year's gain to 28% They identified the suspect as a 13-year-old boy and obtained a warrant for his arrest, police said. The teenager was arrested on suspicion of felony reckless burning of forest land, police said. Because of 'the absence of any injuries or immediate threat to structures', he was processed at police headquarters before being released to his parents. The case will be submitted to the Orange County district attorney's office for review and the possible filing of criminal charges, police said. A spokesperson for the district attorney's office said California welfare law prevented her from discussing the case. Mr Niko King, the Laguna Beach fire chief, said that around 200 firefighters, two planes, five helicopters and drones were deployed to battle the blaze, as officials used infrared scans to monitor its progress and containment efforts. The evacuation order was lifted just after 7.30pm on July 8 , city officials said. The fire was fully contained by 8am on July 9 , and the roads that had been closed reopened to traffic. NYTIMES
USA Today
10-07-2025
- USA Today
13-year-old suspected of lighting fireworks that ignited Southern California brush fire
A 13-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly lighting fireworks that likely sparked a brush fire this week in coastal Southern California, prompting evacuations and causing power outages in the area, authorities said. The blaze, dubbed the Rancho Fire, ignited at about 2:06 p.m. local time on July 7 in the hillside area of Laguna Beach, the city said in a statement. The fire scorched through dry brush and vegetation in the area and grew to about four acres, threatening nearby canyon homes, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. Preliminary reports said the fire may have started from illegal fireworks, the Laguna Beach Police Department said in a statement on July 8. As the blaze spread along the hillside of Rancho Laguna — a neighborhood located above the village area that overlooks the Pacific Ocean — police said witnesses reported "seeing a juvenile in the area possibly involved in setting off fireworks." Laguna Beach police rangers initially detained two juveniles who were later determined to be witnesses, not suspects, according to police. Officers later obtained video evidence that they said showed a "juvenile suspect lighting a firework and fleeing the scene." After further investigation, police said they identified the suspect as a 13-year-old boy and obtained search warrants for his arrest and the seizure of electronic devices. The boy was then taken into custody on suspicion of felony reckless burning of forest land. "Due to the absence of any injuries or immediate threat to structures, Orange County Juvenile Hall would not accept the suspect for booking," according to police. "He was processed at the Laguna Beach Police Department and released to the custody of his parents." The case will be submitted to the Orange County District Attorney's Office for review and the possible filing of criminal charges, police added. Laguna Beach, a tony Southern California city known for its vibrant beach scene and art gallery district, is about 50 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. As of 2024, the city has a population of more than 22,500 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 2025 got off to a deadly start: How bad will wildfire season be in the US this year? Laguna Beach fire fully contained by July 9 Laguna Beach police said detectives were continuing to work with the Laguna Beach Fire Department and the Orange County Fire Authority to investigate the fire's origin. About 200 firefighters, five helicopters, two planes, and drones were used to battle the blaze, said Laguna Beach Fire Chief Niko King. While no injuries or damages were reported, the blaze forced the evacuations of about a hundred homes in the Arch Beach Heights neighborhood, according to Laguna Beach Mayor Alex Rounaghi. The fire broke out in the Bluebird Canyon area, which had been recently approved for fuel-reduction work through hand crews, the mayor said in an update on July 7. In addition to the evacuations, several roads were closed, and the city reported an intermittent loss of power in the area. The evacuation order was lifted at around 7:30 p.m. on July 7, according to the city. The fire, which was mapped at 4.6 acres, was fully contained by 8 a.m. on July 9, and all roads that had been closed were reopened to traffic, the city said. Laguna Beach officials have spent $25 million over the past several years in compliance with a 2019 fire mitigation plan, the Los Angeles Times reported. Following the Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County earlier this year, city officials updated the plan and aimed to improve fire safety. "The effectiveness of the City's fuel modification zones (FMZ) was also evident, with vegetation clearing along the ridgeline helping to slow the fire's progression," according to the city. "Notably, the FMZ closest to the fire was recently approved and installed." Wildfire season: Western US braces for fiery Fourth Blaze comes amid heightened fire risk The Laguna Beach fire had put residents on edge after a series of blazes devastated parts of Los Angeles County earlier this year. The blaze was one of more than a dozen wildfires that sparked across California in recent weeks, according to the latest Cal Fire data. A fast-moving wildfire in central California, called the Madre Fire, became the largest in the state so far this year. The fire broke out on July 2 and scorched through a remote area in southeastern San Luis Obispo County. As of July 9, the Madre Fire had grown to over 80,600 acres and was about 62% contained, according to Cal Fire. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned on July 9 that high temperatures between 95 and 105 degrees were expected in inland areas. The agency noted that there was an "elevated to brief critical fire danger" for interior and southwest Santa Barbara County. "Dangerous heat possible next Tuesday through Friday, especially away from the coast," the weather service said in a post on X. "There will also be elevated fire weather concerns with an increased risk of grass fires in the mountains, deserts, and interior valleys." Contributing: Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
Indianapolis Star
28-05-2025
- Indianapolis Star
A dad was reportedly giving his daughter a driving lesson. He then died in a tragic way.
A man died in a single-vehicle traffic collision while teaching a teen girl how to drive in Laguna Beach, California, according to police. The teen girl is the man's daughter, according to reports. The incident occurred near Coast Highway in the area on Memorial Day, May 26, just before 3:00 p.m., per local police. It involved a 15-year-old driver with a permit and an adult male passenger in the vehicle. A preliminary investigation revealed that the driver "traveled from the upper parking lot" of a supermarket and "breached a fence barrier and continued down an embankment before coming to rest" on the highway, police said. USA TODAY has reached out to the Laguna Beach Police Department for more information. Nashville-bound Greyhound bus crashes: 2 dead, 39 injured According to the Laguna Beach Police Department, the man died at the scene. The driver was hospitalized with significant injuries. "It appeared to be on a permitted driver ... with her father out essentially in a driving lesson sort of situation," Lt. Jesse Schmidt told KCAL News. "Gas pedal-brake pedal confusion and tumbled over a 40-foot cliff onto Coast Highway." Outlets have reported that the teen is in stable condition and will survive her injuries. An investigation is ongoing.
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
A dad was reportedly giving his daughter a driving lesson. He then died in a tragic way.
A dad was reportedly giving his daughter a driving lesson. He then died in a tragic way. A man died in a single-vehicle traffic collision while teaching a teen girl how to drive in Laguna Beach, California, according to police. The teen girl is the man's daughter, according to reports. The incident occurred near Coast Highway in the area on Memorial Day, May 26, just before 3:00 p.m., per local police. It involved a 15-year-old driver with a permit and an adult male passenger in the vehicle. A preliminary investigation revealed that the driver "traveled from the upper parking lot" of a supermarket and "breached a fence barrier and continued down an embankment before coming to rest" on the highway, police said. Nashville-bound Greyhound bus crashes: 2 dead, 39 injured Man died, teen driver injured; investigation ongoing According to the Laguna Beach Police Department, the man died at the scene. The driver was hospitalized with significant injuries. "It appeared to be on a permitted driver ... with her father out essentially in a driving lesson sort of situation," Lt. Jesse Schmidt told KCAL News. "Gas pedal-brake pedal confusion and tumbled over a 40-foot cliff onto Coast Highway." Outlets have reported that the teen is in stable condition and will survive her injuries. An investigation is ongoing. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@
Epoch Times
28-05-2025
- Epoch Times
64-Year-Old Man Dies Teaching Teen Daughter How to Drive
A 64-year-old man who was teaching his teenage daughter how to drive died on Monday after the car plunged over a cliff in Laguna Beach, California. The 15-year-old girl was practicing driving with her dad, identified by police as James Politoski, in a Gelson's Market parking lot, which has parking spots along a 40-foot embankment facing the Pacific Coast Highway. The Laguna Beach Police Department said the car drove through the fence and fell off the hill, flipping over and landing on its roof on a sidewalk below. Politoski, who was sitting in the passenger seat, was pronounced dead at the scene. The teenager, who had a permit, was taken to a hospital with serious injuries but is in stable condition as of Tuesday morning, Lt. Jesse Schmidt told The Epoch Times. Police confirmed the driver and passenger were father and daughter, and Laguna Beach residents. Photos from the scene suggest the car was a Volkswagen Beetle. No one else was injured. 'It is really tragic,' said Schmidt. 'Somebody lost their life being a good parent.' Related Stories 5/27/2025 5/26/2025 Schmidt told The Epoch Times that driving around the parking lot was part of their regular practice route. 'It was a father-daughter driving lesson. She's a permitted driver, and Dad was taking her out on a normal route that they had practiced before. Just a really tragic accident, really is what it comes down to.' The accident was reported just before 4:15 p.m. between Wesley and Montage Resort drives. The accident is currently an ongoing investigation, police said. No other injuries were reported. 'Our condolences go out to the family and the loved ones around this that are affected,' he added. 'This doesn't just affect their family, it affects the whole community.' Reinforcing the fence around the parking lot facing the cliff is not out of the question, said Schmidt, but that conversation hasn't been instigated with property owners yet, citing the ongoing investigation.
