A former University of Kentucky football player is being hailed as a hero after he chased down a homeless man who allegedly sparked a fire in a Los Angeles forested area.
Scott Mitchell, a former wide receiver for the Wildcats, was out hiking with his girlfriend when they spotted a man calmly walking away from a burning tree near a trail — a suspicious sight given California’s ongoing battle with wildfires.
“I saw the tree smoking, and then this guy just strolling away like nothing happened,” Mitchell said. “My instincts kicked in.”
Mitchell wasted no time. Despite being well past his college football days, he took off sprinting, closing the 150-yard gap between him and the suspect.
“Even without cleats or a 40-yard dash warm-up, I was able to chase that guy down,” Mitchell said with a smile. “Didn’t know I still had it, I’m not going to lie.”
Authorities later identified the suspect as 43-year-old Andrew Wistic O’Calliham, a homeless man now facing felony arson charges. He was arrested at the scene and has since been arraigned.
The fire, which threatened to spiral out of control in the dry brush area, was brought under control thanks to the swift response of 53 firefighters on the ground. Officials confirmed the blaze was “fully extinguished” before it could cause widespread damage.
The attempted arson comes just months after a devastating wave of fires swept through the Los Angeles area, destroying more than 12,000 structures and displacing countless families.
While the motive remains unclear, Mitchell’s quick action may have helped prevent another disaster.
“This could’ve been a nightmare,” said a local fire official. “That man stepped up and helped stop what could’ve turned into another multi-acre wildfire.”
Mitchell, who now works in fitness and wellness coaching, said he’s just glad he was there at the right time.
“I didn’t do anything special,” he said. “I just ran.”
