Authorities name suspect in deadly, devastating Los Angeles Palisades fire

Authorities on Wednesday named a suspect in connection to the deadly, devastating Palisades fire in Los Angeles County.

The suspect has been identified as Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, of Florida.

Kenny Cooper, a special FBI agent in Los Angeles, said the blaze was an "incendiary fire" and the "subject arrested started it."

Authorities said Rinderknecht was "charged with the Palisades Fire that started January 1."

They also said evidence includes content on his phone and of him returning to the fire after he set it to watch firefighters battle the blaze. 

 have made an arrest in connection with the Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighborhood wildfire that occurred in January, according to news report Wednesday.

An unnamed law enforcement official told The Associated Press about the arrest. 

Los Angeles police and federal officials said earlier Wednesday that they are about to announce a “significant development” related to the criminal investigation into the cause of the fire.

The blaze erupted on Jan. 7 and killed 12 people, destroying more than 6,000 homes and buildings in the Pacific Palisades.

There will be a 9 a.m. news conference with Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli, LA Police Chief Jim McDonnell, and Special Agent in Charge Kenny Cooper of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.