Firefighters Hit the Streets for Leads to Laguna Arsonist

Firefighters handed out thousands of yellow flyers Wednesday to motorists on Laguna Canyon Road and El Toro Road, hoping some commuter has a clue that could crack the investigation in the Laguna Beach arson fire.

“As the fires pass and people tend to forget about it, we want to catch them,” Orange County Fire Department spokeswoman Kathleen Cha said. “Something they saw is going to make a difference.”

The flyer reminds drivers that the fire began on Laguna Canyon Road at 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 27. All information is confidential and there is a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the arsonist, the flyer states.

Even seemingly insignificant details could help investigators narrow their search for the person or persons who started the fire that destroyed 366 houses, Cha said.

“Maybe there’s a detail that clicks,” she said. “From enough of these details, we see a real pattern of what was going on.”

Investigators have found no downed power lines, half-burned cigarette butts or other physical evidence that would suggest the fire was accidental. Yet, after sifting through more than 300 leads, they still need more details to point them toward suspects.

Cha denied the flyers are a long shot, saying drivers’ memories are “still pretty fresh.”

Most drivers were good-natured about the one-mile traffic backup that resulted from firefighters handing out flyers at the intersection of Laguna Canyon and El Toro roads.

“It’s a great idea. At least you get everybody’s attention on it,” said Tom Russell, a Sherman Oaks resident who does business in Laguna Beach.

“I think it’s a good idea, so everybody will keep an eye out,” said June Neptune of Laguna Beach.

Other residents were alarmed, thinking a new fire had started when they saw firefighters and television crews swarming the road.

Fire officials distributed the flyers from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., despite heavy morning traffic, because they hoped to reach people who were on the road about the time the fire started.

At least two motorists waiting in line for flyers said they drove down Laguna Canyon Road the morning of the fire.

“I came through around 10:30 a.m., but I didn’t see anything,” said Andre Freeman of Costa Mesa, who drives daily to Laguna Beach for chiropractic appointments.

Those with information are urged to call (714) 744-0515.