California Governor Gavin Newsom declared Monday that the enormous fire causing the indefinite closure of sections of Interstate 10 in Los Angeles was arson.
At a news conference, Newsom stated, “A preliminary investigation found there was ‘malice intent,’… done and set intentionally.” While an ongoing investigation is underway, the governor did not disclose any information regarding suspects or leads.
Governor Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Los Angeles County, emphasising the need for urgent repairs. The Federal Highway Administrator is expected in Los Angeles to assess the situation.
The cause of the fire remains unclear, and while the structural integrity of the bridge appears stronger than initially assessed, further testing is ongoing to determine the extent of the damage and the necessary repair strategy.
