One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Suspected arson in 1 of 2 South LA church fires
Two church fires broke out in South Los Angeles overnight less than two miles apart.
(
NBC Los Angeles
)
Two South Los Angeles churches within a mile and a half of each other caught fire early Thursday, though officials said the incidents were unrelated.
A fire at the 8500 block of South San Pedro Street in South Los Angeles was reported just after midnight, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Erik Scott.
The fire erupted in a room connected to the Starlight Church of God in Christ, but the sanctuary itself was not damaged, Scott said.
The incident was determined to be arson.
“The fire appeared to have started over a personal dispute with an occupant,” said Scott. “The church does not appear to have been a target itself nor was this fired affiliated with recent church fires in Los Angeles around the same time. Nor did it appear to be racially motivated.”
Damages were estimated to be $10,000 to $15,000.
Another fire, this one at the Greater Evangelist Prayer Center Church of God in Christ at the 8300 block of Compton Avenue, was reported at 1:02 a.m.
Sponsored message
Firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to heavy smoke coming out of the church’s attic. The fire was put out at about 1:16 a.m. with no injuries.
The cause of that fire is still being investigated.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
