Suspect Arrested In Huge Downtown L.A. Apartment Complex Fire

The fire on Dec. 8, 2014, caused more than $70 million in damage to downtown Los Angeles.

A suspect has been arrested on suspicion of setting fire to the construction site of a seven-story apartment complex in downtown L.A.

The fire at the Da Vinci apartment complex in December could be seen for miles and caused an estimated $20 million to $30 million in damage. It also damaged neighboring buildings and the adjacent 110 Freeway, causing another $50 million to $60 million in damage.

The pillar of flames burned so hotly that it shattered nearby glass that rained down on the more than 200 firefighters.

"It is no exaggeration to say we have the finest department in the world, and the best public safety professionals in the world as well," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a news conference Wednesday.

With the fire's intense heat and flames that reached as high as neighboring skyscrapers, authorities said it was a miracle no one was hurt. Most of the fire was extinguished within 90 minutes of firefighters arriving.

"It could have been a $200-million fire," said Carlos Canino, special agent in charge with the L.A. Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Authorities did not say much about the suspect, who was identified as 56-year-old Dawud Abdulwali, a Los Angeles resident.

On Wednesday, Abdulwali was being held in jail in lieu of $1 million bond. He was arrested without incident during an unrelated traffic stop, according to the L.A. Fire Department. He currently faces charges of aggravated arson and arson of a structure; if convicted, he could face up to life in prison.

"We'd rather not discuss motive at this time," Canino said.

He added that authorities believe the suspect worked alone, and there was no evidence of a prior connection to the Da Vinci complex.

"We have video, but we're not going to discuss the video," Canino said.

ATF investigated the arson with the Los Angeles Fire Department and officers from the Los Angeles police counter-terrorism and special operations bureau, which works on cases of criminal conspiracy. Authorities said there was no evidence the fire was related to terrorism.

"We're not trying to be evasive, but we want to try this in court and not here," Canino said.

The complex was being developed by Geoff Palmer as the latest in a series of designs criticized for their faux-Renaissance style and blocking out the neighboring community.

Investigators reviewed 75,000 square feet of debris as well as surveillance footage from neighboring buildings. Hundreds of people worked on the investigation over almost six months.

"All the evidence that we have right now points to this person as a suspect," Canino said.

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