Arson Suspected as Fire Destroys 10 Apartments
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Arson investigators were probing a fire that nearly destroyed a Montebello apartment building Thursday, after witnesses reported seeing at least one person throwing a Molotov cocktail into the building, authorities said.
About 40 people were left homeless by the blaze, and several dozen others in an adjacent apartment complex were temporarily evacuated, said Capt. Bruce English of the Downey Fire Department. No one was injured, he said.
The fire started about 4:50 p.m., and 22 fire units had controlled it by about 5:30.
The blaze destroyed about 10 second-floor units at 418 Lohart Ave.
Investigators were looking into reports that one or two people were “seen running away after throwing a Molotov cocktail or other incendiary device,” English said.
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