Man arrested on suspicion of setting fires in downtown L.A. high-rise

A man has been arrested on suspicion of setting fires at a downtown Los Angeles high-rise condominium complex, authorities said.

Firefighters were called to the Metropolis condos in the 877 block of Francisco Street just after 11 p.m. Thursday, said Nicholas Prange, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department. Crews extinguished the flames on multiple floors in about 50 minutes, he said.

Firefighters were alerted to the fire after the building’s automatic sprinklers were set off, Prange said.

“The sprinklers kept the fires in check,” he said. “There was extensive water damage and mild to moderate fire damage.”

The suspect was apprehended Thursday night on suspicion of arson, Prange said, adding that the man was “possibly homeless.”

Investigators told ABC7 that the fires were set on floors 21 through 23 of one of the complex’s three residential towers.

The suspect was taken into custody after being spotted setting fire to pictures in the hallways, Los Angeles police said.

Arson investigators conducted an extensive survey of the building and locked every floor of the high-rise, searching for other possible problems in the building, authorities said.

No injuries were reported.

Metropolis is one of the largest mixed-use developments in the West with three condominium high-rises and an 18-story hotel on Francisco Street between the L.A. Live entertainment center and the financial district.