A 29-year-old man accused of igniting the deadly Palisades Fire, one of California’s most destructive wildfires, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges.

A federal grand jury has indicted Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, for allegedly starting the Palisades Fire, one of the deadliest wildfires in Los Angeles history. The blaze destroyed thousands of homes and killed 12 people earlier this year.

Investigators are examining various possible ignition sources for the massive wildfires that have claimed at least 11 lives and devastated thousands of homes and businesses in the Los Angeles area.

A wildfire that started in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles on Tuesday morning has spread across the west of the city at an alarming rate throughout Tuesday and overnight, , News.az reports citing BBC.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday as a fast-moving wildfire prompted the evacuation of around 30,000 people in Southern California.