Harry Peak, swarmed by reporters.
In 1987, Harry Peak, an aspiring actor with a head full of blond hair was arrested for setting the Los Angeles Central Library on fire on April 29, 1986. Harry Peak was born in Santa Fe Springs in 1959. As a child, Peak always aspired to become a famous movie star. His reputation as a compulsive liar motivated him to make up stories about his life so that it wouldn't seem as bland. His lying was so good that his own family didn't know what to believe or what not to believe. There isn’t much known about him, but on the day of the fire, Harry was reported to be in the library. When questioned, many librarians said they saw a suspicious blond man, one who looked anxious when the alarm set off. There was not enough evidence to fully press charges against him as a criminal and to this day we are still not sure who or what caused the Central Library Fire.
Harry grew up in Santa Fe Springs, just east of Downey.
The press had questioned Peak multiple times, and each time he altered the story.
Reporters were desperate for info on his involvement, chasing him to his car.