Los Angeles Police Department detectives found materials that could have been used to set fires inside the minivan of a "person of interest" detained for questioning in the recent string of L.A. arson fires, law enforcement sources told The Times.

The sources did not reveal details but said detectives confiscated “evidence and materials” that suggest the individual had the ability to ignite some or all of the blazes.

Little is known about the man. Sources said the the minivan had Canadian license plates but that detectives believe the man might originally be from Germany.

PHOTOS: Arson fires

The man was detained near a drugstore at the corner of Fairfax Avenue and Sunset Boulevard early Monday morning, according to a witness to the incident.

Several sources said the man is believed to be the same person seen in a surveillance video released by police Sunday. However, in a statement, a Los Angeles fire official stressed “it is too early to speculate if this person is responsible for the spree of arson fires.”