Man questioned in string of North Hollywood fires

A homeless man was detained and questioned Friday morning in connection with a string of suspicious fires in North Hollywood, officials said.

The man was sleeping in his car next to a bag of burning paper in a parking lot, prompting authorities to detain him for questioning, said Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigators. He was later released, they said.

Firefighters responded to at least a dozen fires between 2 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. Sunday, and other  incidents are under investigation in connection with the case, officials said.

Most of the fires were set to vehicles in carports that extended into nearby structures along Lankershim Boulevard between Burbank Boulevard and Saticoy Street.

Though most were set Sunday, officials said the first was in the early morning hours of July 21.