Arsonists Hit University Housing Project

Arsonists caused $200,000 in damage Sunday when a predawn fire destroyed three houses under construction as part of an affordable-housing program for Cal State Fullerton faculty and staff, fire officials said.

Witnesses saw several people running from the scene when the fire was set about 4 a.m. at the University Gables project at Dale Street and Malvern Avenue in Buena Park, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Stephen Miller. “This is definitely arson,” he said.

The fire destroyed three houses being framed and damaged a fourth, said Miller.

Investigators found evidence of incendiary devices in the rubble.

There were no injuries.

Witnesses saw people run from the area and speed away in two vehicles, Miller said. Descriptions of those who fled and their vehicles were not immediately available.

University Gables was part of a plan by Cal State Fullerton officials to provide affordable housing.

They were in search of land while Buena Park had land that was blighted but owned by the county’s Flood Control District.

As part of a three-way swap, the district sold the land to the city and the university.

The project calls for 56 single-family homes and 30 townhomes for new faculty and staff.

Prices are expected to top out at $235,000, roughly 40% to 50% less than comparable homes in the area.

City Councilman Art Brown said the project won city approval a year ago because the vacant eight acres along Brea Creek on Buena Park’s north side was filled with weeds in what amounted to an old flood control catch basin that had become a “dust bowl.”

Dirt had been trucked in, Brown said.

Then flood control personnel began using the catch basin to train on backhoes and tractors.

“It’s terrible that somebody would burn homes so badly in need by faculty and staff of a university,” Brown said.