Carport Fire Called Arson but Is Not Linked to String

Fire officials suspect that an early morning carport fire Monday was deliberately set, but they do not believe it was related to a string of carport arsons that began in February.

Christopher Gray, assistant Glendale fire chief, said arson investigators from other affected communities visited the Glendale site Monday, but “did not make any connection or link” between Monday’s blaze in Glendale and those that have been reported elsewhere, particularly in the San Gabriel Valley.

“Although the investigation is continuing, this fire appears to be an isolated incident,” he said.

Gray said investigators from Alhambra, Los Angeles and South Pasadena visited the apartment where the carport fire occurred near Doran Street and Pacific Avenue, just west of downtown Glendale.

“They compared notes and did not see any similarities in the methods by which the fires were started,” he said.

Gray said the Glendale fire, which he termed a “suspected arson,” began in one car, then spread to two others. Firefighters put it out in 10 minutes with minor damage to the carport, Gray said.

Since February, some 20 fires that officials blame on the same arsonist have hit carports around the San Gabriel Valley, causing an estimated $2 million in damage.

Then, within a monthlong period beginning in mid-May, officials believe a copycat arsonist set seven carport fires in South Pasadena.

There have been no injuries reported in the arsons, but neighbors had to rescue a 75-year-old South Pasadena woman and her mentally disabled granddaughter from their burning apartment during one of the blazes.