The Redondo Beach Police Department arrested a man who allegedly lit his apartment on fire early Thursday morning and proceeded to roam through the neighborhood wielding a machete.
Around 7:26 a.m. the fire department responded to reports of smoke billowing from a second story window at 1710 Esplanade. According to Fire Department Division Chief Steve Hyink, firefighters were in route to the scene when an L.A County Lifeguard called the police and reported that a man was seen leaving the building carrying a large knife.
According to Hyink, the lifeguard pursued the suspect but he eluded the lifeguard. Onlookers also saw the man and notified police.
The suspect, identified as 46-year-old Michael William Wolfe, lived in the unit and was facing eviction today by the building owner, according to a report from the Redondo Beach Fire Department.
Wolfe was found bedded down on South Camino De La Costa after a 62-minute search, Hyink said. A neighbor reported seeing the man on the ground after police used a taser to get him into custody. According to Hyink, the man had burn wounds on his head and torso.
Redondo Beach Police Chief Joe Leonardi added that his feet were burned and he had lacerations on his wrists as well. Leonardi also said that it was reported that he was dressed in boxer shorts. After capture, he was treated and transported to Torrance Memorial Hospital with a police escort.
Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach firefighters responded to the incident along with Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Torrance police and PV police. Local SWAT and K-9 units were also on the scene.
Firefighters searched the structure and contained the fire to two rooms.
“It’s still under investigation, but all indications are that the fire was set intentionally,” Hyink said. The fire report also indicated that when Wolfe was arrested, an ignition device was found near him.
The police contained the areas of Avenue I, Catalina Avenue, the Esplanade and Vista Del Mar while other police units provided protection for the firefighters fighting the blaze. Riviera Hall Lutheran School was put on lock-down during the search.
According to Hyink, Redondo Beach K-9 police officers drove the area streets in patrol cars warning residents to stay indoors before they unleashed the police dogs on the suspect.
“Armed and dangerous assailant at large on the Esplanade,” a resident reported hearing from a police car PA speaker. “All individuals must stay inside until further notice…To the individual we are pursuing: Give yourself up or we will release the dogs. The dogs will find you.”
A resident who wished to remain anonymous said that the building owner was going to change the locks on his doors that day, and law enforcement officers were expected at the residence that afternoon to evict him. He also added that Wolfe’s hair caught on fire during the blaze.
The apartment was evacuated and nobody else was injured in the fire, Hyink said.
