By CHRISTOPHER WEBER and ERIC TUCKER, The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities in California have made an arrest in connection with the deadly January wildfire that erupted into the most destructive blaze in Los Angeles history and destroyed much of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood.

Authorities arrested 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht , saying he lit a fire on New Year’s Day that burned down much of the Pacific Palisades a week later. He was arrested Tuesday in Florida and will appear in court Wednesday in that state.

The man started a fire just after midnight on Jan. 1 that later became the Palisades Fire, acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said during a news conference Wednesday.

The blaze, which erupted on Jan. 7, killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,000 homes

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