Brush fires in Lancaster, Palmdale started possibly by car engine failure

PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- Seven suspicious brush fires broke out overnight in the Lancaster and Palmdale areas, Los Angeles County fire officials say, and authorities believe they were started by a car's engine failure.

The brush fires burned along hillsides near the 14 Freeway between Pearblossom Highway in Palmdale and Avenue H in Lancaster. The first fire, reported about 12:30 a.m., started near Avenue K in Lancaster.

Most fires, burning a mixture of grass and brush, were contained right away, officials said.

The largest fire measured at 1.8 acres just south of Avenue S. The southbound lanes of the freeway were temporarily shut down as firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Also overnight, Palmdale and Lancaster sheriff's officials responded to several calls regarding a man driving a dark-colored Ford Expedition and possibly throwing incendiary devices near the freeway.

One witness spoke to Eyewitness News, saying he saw a man throw something out of a vehicle right before one of the fires erupted.

"It was thrown. As soon as it hit the floor, it pretty much popped and it sent, like, electric feed out. That pretty much started the fire from there," he said.

Investigators said all fires were considered suspicious, but arson investigators later determined they weren't started by anyone.

Detectives believe the spot fires may have been started by a catalytic converter failure.

Anyone with information was urged to contact the Palmdale Sheriff's Station.