The Region - News from Sept. 1, 1986

The third arson fire in recent weeks at a Victorian house near USC forced six residents into the streets, but no one was injured. A smoke detector alerted residents to the fire at 1186 W. 27th St. shortly after 5:30 a.m., said resident Mike Molinski, a United Press International reporter. “I didn’t hear the smoke alarm, but my brother woke me up after he felt the heat and heard the alarm,” he said. “I ran to the back of the house to get the hose, but the hose was on fire.” The blaze was doused about 20 minutes later by about 40 firefighters, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Jim Williamson said. He said the fire was deliberately set and arson investigators were looking for a suspect. Damage was estimated at $50,000. It was the third fire at the two-story home since Aug. 15, when an arsonist spread gasoline around the rear of the house and set it on fire, Molinski said. Another fire was started Aug. 27 when a flammable liquid was spread on the ground floor and ignited, he said.