Firebombing Hospitalizes 2 Children

A Molotov cocktail hurled through a second-story window of a Sherman Oaks apartment complex early Monday sent two children of a family of Israeli emigres to the hospital with serious burns, officials said. Authorities have not established a motive.

“We don’t know,” said David Liske, an investigator with the Los Angeles Fire Department arson unit. “At this point everything’s an option.”

Rafi Moshe, 10, who was rescued by his mother and a neighbor through the front door, suffered first-, second- and third-degree burns to about 15% of his body, Fire Department authorities said. His sister, Chaya, 9, jumped from a window into the arms of three men, but not before she also suffered first-, second- and third-degree burns, to about 15% of her body.

Rafi and Chaya were in serious and fair condition, respectively, at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, Fire Department officials said.

The bombing occurred just after 1 a.m at the complex--inhabited mostly by Middle Eastern immigrants--in the 5000 block of Woodman Avenue. Neighbors reported hearing shattering glass and seeing a dark Nissan speeding away from the alley just below the children’s window.

“I heard a boom, like something breaking,” said Sharon Kalfon, 16, a neighbor who had been listening to music with friends.

Kalfon said the children’s mother, Batsheva Moshe, had just arrived at her apartment to borrow a music tape when the bombing occurred.

Another neighbor, Theresa Robles, 22, said she looked out the window of her apartment after the bomb went off and saw the two-door Nissan speed away.

Moshe and Tal Shlomy, 25, who was listening to music with Kalfon, rushed into the Moshe apartment to find the children’s bedroom engulfed in flames.

Rafi had managed to get out of the bedroom, but some of his clothing was on fire. Shlomy used his hands to smother the flames.

Meanwhile, Chaya, trapped in the room, was being urged by three men in the alley, including Wally Hernandez, 25, to jump out the window.

“She was just quiet,” said Hernandez, who received six stitches on his arm to close a cut from broken glass. “She kept looking inside for her brother.”

The girl eventually jumped.

The Moshe family came from Israel several years ago, according to neighbors. The husband and wife separated recently, but apparently had maintained a friendly relationship.