Visits halted to lost homes
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Monday he would be announcing the first charges against those arrested.
“I am working with over 750 Deputy District Attorneys and the entire law enforcement community to bring these people — who are despicable and disgraceful — to justice,” he said.
A system that allowed evacuees short, escorted visits to their homes was stopped Sunday, as police became overwhelmed by queues several city blocks long. That was adding to the heartbreak for those forced to flee.
“My house is gone, I know that. I’ve seen pictures and all that’s left is the chimney. But I need to see it by myself to believe it”, Fred Busche told AFP.
The county coroner said Sunday that 24 people were now known to have perished in the fires, but that toll is expected to rise.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said teams using cadaver dogs were going plot to plot in ruined areas. “It is a very grim task, and we unfortunately, every day we’re doing this, we’re running across the remains of individual community members,” he said.
“That is not easy work… That work is not only going to continue, but I believe we’ll continue to find remains.”
The Palisades Fire has now consumed almost 24,000 acres (9,700 hectares) and was 14 percent contained, with limited fire activity at its boundaries. The Eaton Fire stood at 14,000 acres and a third of its perimeter was checked. More than 12,000 structures have been destroyed, a figure that includes homes, outbuildings and some vehicles.
