A German national was found guilty on Sept. 1 of setting more than 40 fires from Dec. 29, 2011 to Jan. 2, 2012 at numerous apartment buildings and residences in West Hollywood and Hollywood, as well as other parts of Los Angeles.

One of the fires attributed to the arsonist was set in a carport on Genesee Avenue in West Hollywood. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Jurors deliberated for less than a day before finding Harry Burkhart, 29, guilty of 25 counts of arson of property, 18 counts of arson of an inhabited dwelling and two counts each of possession of an incendiary device, attempted arson and arson of a structure.

Burkhart has been in custody since Jan. 2, 2012, after he was arrested by a reserve deputy from the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station who pulled him over near Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. Authorities allegedly found materials for starting fires in the vehicle. The defendant started most of the fires by throwing incendiary materials under vehicles parked in carports or next to residences.

Deputy District Attorney Sean Carney, with the Arson and Explosives Section said Burkhart’s motive was retaliation after his mother was arrested in Los Angeles in 2011 and faced deportation to face prosecution for alleged crimes in Germany.

No civilians were injured in the spree. One firefighter suffered a neck injury when he fell from a ladder at a fire that was set at the former home of The Door’s vocalist Jim Morrison in the Hollywood Hills, and another firefighter suffered minor injuries. Property damage from the arson spree was estimated at more than $3 million.

Burkhart returned to court on Sept. 6 and Sept. 7 for hearings to determine if he was sane when the arson spree occurred. The hearing had not concluded as of press time on Wednesday. He faces 88 years and eight months in state prison.