Los Angeles

Overnight Church Fires Break Out in South LA

Two churches less than two miles apart erupted into flames early Thursday, and investigators believe one of them was set on purpose.

The first fire broke out about 12:30 a.m. at the Starlight Church of God in Christ on San Pedro Street, according to the LA Fire Department.

The flames damaged the front of the building and spread to a side room used as living quarters for some church members, officials said. Firefighters used a chain saw to cut through a rod iron gate to reach the blaze.

Investigators believe the fire was started intentionally, but was not meant to damage the church. They suspect the alleged arson was the result of a personal dispute.

"It seems that this is more related to a revenge type incident or spite incident involving people that stay here," Arson Investigator David Liske said.

But a man who lives there said he doesn't know why anyone would want to hurt him.

"I'm a good man," Richard Dawson said." We go to church, we do family things."

Pastor Adrian Goodlow of New Creation Christian Fellowship, which shares the building with Starlight Church, said he's thankful no one was hurt.

"I would just forgive the guy, move forward and just look for something better to happen," Goodlow said."

The second fire happened about 1 a.m. at the Greater Evangelist Prayer Center Church of God in Christ on Compton Avenue, which is about a mile and a half away from the other church fire.

The Compton Avenue blaze was determined to be accidental and possibly caused by electrical wiring, fire officials said.

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