Local News in Brief : Fire That Displaced 5 Families Was Arson

Investigators have determined that a Panorama City fire that left 28 people homeless Sunday was set deliberately, a fire official said Tuesday.

The fire destroyed an apartment building being built in the 8800 block of Van Nuys Boulevard and spread to three nearby houses and a garage, displacing five families who had lived in the homes, authorities said.

Los Angeles City Fire Department spokesman Ed Reed said witnesses told investigators that a number of youths were seen near the apartment building just before the fire.

“Due to a combination of eyewitness statements plus evidence at the scene of the fire, our investigators determined the blaze to have been arson,” Reed said. He did not disclose the evidence.

Four of the five families, consisting of 12 adults and 16 children, were provided temporary shelter in a motel by the American Red Cross. The fifth family is staying with relatives.