Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Monday that Harry Burkhart was arrested and booked for investigation of arson of an inhabited dwelling. He is being held without bail.
Burkhart was arrested earlier in the day because he resembled a "person of interest" captured on surveillance video. He was stopped by police in a van being sought by arson investigators.
More than 50 blazes have flared since Friday in Hollywood, neighboring West Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley, causing about $3 million in damage.
Most of the fires began in cars, but some buildings also were damaged.
