Arson Damages Catholic Church in Koreatown
A Koreatown church sustained $1.2 million in damage Saturday in an arson fire, officials said.
A firefighter suffered neck injuries while putting out the blaze, which broke out about 4:30 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.
There were no other injuries and the church was not occupied at the time.
Seventy-five firefighters doused the blaze in about 40 minutes, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Jim Wells.
Los Angeles fire Capt. Steve Ruda said the blaze began in the church’s sacristy, a room where sacred vessels and vestments are kept.
The fire also damaged an office area, a portion of the altar and the church’s attic, Wells said.
Wells said agents from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms will join city arson detectives in investigating the cause of the blaze.
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