>>>
and now to
los angeles
, where residents are on alert after dozens of arson attacks there. new year's eve didn't give firefighters a break from the fires, which are said to be the worst since the riots in
1992
. here is nbc's
mike taibbi
.
>> reporter:
each of last night's seven reported fires was quickly controlled. this one in hollywood typical, a car set ablaze with some sort of incendiary device. investigators are keeping the details under wraps and threatening nearby buildings.
>>
auto fires, as soon as they get going, they burn really hot, really fast. they have a lot of fuel, they have a lot of plastics. and they essentially give off their own combustible gases.
>> reporter:
and that's been the big worry in the three nights of this siege that is now reaching historic proportions. some 40 of these dark of night car fires have drawn some residents out of their beds to do what they can to prevent real disaster. frustrated investigators poured over hundreds of leads and witness statements that brought in several individuals for questioning, but can't yet say how many suspects there might be.
>>
they're looking at every option. it could be one. it could be many.
>> reporter:
they don't yet have the typical aids to help.
>>
we don't have a suspect description right now.
>> reporter:
it is now an all hands investigation, local and federal resources combining to patrol the apparent target neighborhoods, and react swiftly to each incident.
>>
every lead, every possible rumor, you know, perception, whatever it is, our investigators are active. they're taking this real personal.
>> reporter:
despite all that attention, whoever is responsible for this rampage did not take new year's eve off. destroying a half dozen more cars, but so far luckily no lives.
mike taibbi
, nbc news,
los angeles
.
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