3 Encino Fires No Accident, Officials Rule

Three recent fires at houses of worship along a one-mile stretch in Encino are being classified as suspicious, and fire officials are investigating possible connections, authorities said Tuesday.

“We are certainly looking for a link between the three,” said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department, adding that accidental causes of the fires have been ruled out. “Since they are suspicious, we are putting them on the top of our investigation list,” he said.

The Los Angeles Police Department is assisting the Fire Department’s arson unit in investigating the cases.

Lt. Gary Hallden of the LAPD’s West Valley Division said, “We are providing extra patrols around churches and places of worship” in the area.

Two fires occurred Monday, one at the Baha’i Faith Community Center in the 4800 block of Genesta Avenue, and the other at a small storefront synagogue whose congregation is mostly Iranian Jews. Damage to both structures was minor.

Shortly after 11 a.m., a fire started at the covered entrance to the Baha’i center. About 15 feet of a wooden canopy and a door that leads to a hallway linking offices to the sanctuary were charred.

“I’m sure this was an arson,” said Randy Dobbs, secretary of the spiritual assembly of the Baha’is of Los Angeles. “Maybe someone did it because some of the writing on the center has Persian script.”

The Iranian Synagogue in the 18000 block of Ventura Boulevard also has Persian script, as well as the Star of David, painted on its back wall. The fire started about 10 p.m., Humphrey said. A lock to the stairs leading to the roof was broken and a wall was streaked by the flames, he said.

“Fortunately, someone was walking by just as it started and he called 911,” said Olie Aragon, who manages Castillo Fine Jewelers, next to the synagogue. “It’s a good thing because that fire could have spread quickly and wiped us all out.”

The most serious fire occurred early April 26 at the First Presbyterian Church of Encino in the 4900 block of Balboa Boulevard, Humphrey said.

Fire Station 83, located only a block away, quickly responded.

“Despite the quick response, they discovered a heavy fire, with flames leaping from the window and igniting the steeply pitched wood-shake shingle roof,” Humphrey said. Damage was estimated at $20,000.