Full Notification

News Release -
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Los Angeles County Fire Department

West Hollywood Sheriff's Station deputies and Los Angeles County firefighters received a call at 12:23AM, Friday, reporting a fire in the 7700 block of Romaine in the City of West Hollywood.

This led to deputies and firefighters working together to respond to a succession of similar fire incidents, with the last one occuring in West Hollywood at 2:09AM.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Arson/Explosive Detail detectives responded and determined the five separate fires were acts of arson. They included:

7700 block of Romaine St. at 12:23AM

1000 block of Genessee Ave. at 12:27AM

1200 block of Curson Ave. at 12:34AM

1200 block of Harper Ave. at 2:09AM (two fires)

For safety reasons, about 50 people were temporarily evacuated from an apartment building on Harper Ave. Residents were able to re-occupy their homes soon thereafter.

Detectives and firefighters discovered that all the fires started as vehicle fires in apartment car ports.

No one was injured.

"The total damage is estimated to be $350,000.00," said Battalion Chief Jon O'Brien, Los Angeles County Fire Department. "Ten vehicles with a total value of about $185,000.00 were damaged or destroyed. Four structures suffered about $150,000.00 in damage as well as another $15,000.00 in damage to personal property."

Meanwhile in Hollywood (City of Los Angeles), many similar arson fires occurred during roughly the same period of time.

"The City of West Hollywood arson fires are definitely related to the LA City fires," said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Arson/Explosives Detail Detective Ed Nordskog.

"We are very fortunate that these outrageous crimes didn't result in injuries or death," said Captain Kelley Fraser, West Hollywood Sheriff's Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. "We are asking for the public's help in the search for the arsonist(s). If you saw or see anyone or anything suspicious, please report it immediately."

"As a result of these arson fires, in addition to an increased awareness in West Hollywood, there is also an increased deployment of deputies," said Captain Fraser. "We are asking for the public to maintain a high level of awareness and help us catch these arsonist(s)."

"Arsonists often like to watch fires they set," said Sheriff's Detective Nordskog. "Please contact us if you noticed anything suspicious. Someone likely saw something they may not think was important, but all clues are good clues right now."

Anyone with information about these incidents is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Arson/Explosives Detail at (323) 881-7500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

"It is always a good idea to clear out potentially flammable debris from your carports and ensure you have functional smoke alarms in your homes," said Fire Battalion Chief O'Brien.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies and Los Angeles County firefighters are working closely with Los Angeles City Fire and Police authorities to investigative these crimes and to apprehend those responsible.


Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(323) 267-4800
Battalion Chief Jon O'Brien
Public Information Office
Los Angeles County Fire Department
(323) 881-2411

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Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(323)267-4800
www.lasd.org
[email protected]
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@LASD_News http://twitter.com/#!/LASD_News
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Email & Text: www.Nixle.com


Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff


Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. If you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org


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