Arson Suspected in Luxury Homes Fire
A wind-whipped fire that investigators suspect was intentionally set swept through a construction site early Saturday, destroying several half-built luxury homes, fire officials said.
The fire caused an estimated $925,000 in damage, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Jim Wells said.
More than 140 firefighters battled the blaze for more than an hour, Wells said. No one was injured.
Wells would not elaborate on the reasons authorities suspect arson but said the investigation is continuing.
Firefighters responded about 2 a.m. to the fire at a 12-house development being built in the 8600 block of North De Soto Avenue. Seven structures were destroyed, Wells said.
In addition, the attic of a nearby two-story house and five garages in a condominium complex were damaged, he said. A car in one of the garages was destroyed.
The firefighting efforts were complicated by high winds, officials said. Three helicopters helped keep watch over nearby areas for secondary blazes.
“It was basically like a blowtorch,” Wells said. “The fire spread very rapidly.”
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