SYLMAR, Calif.—Three crosses outside a church in Sylmar were set ablaze July 6, prompting a hate crime investigation by police, fire, and federal officials.
The Los Angeles Fire Department initially responded at 5 a.m. to a report of a rubbish fire outside the Sylmar Christian Fellowship Church at 13901 Polk St. But when crews arrived, they found only the smoldering wood crosses, one of which had toppled over, according to the fire department.
Fire officials said the crosses appeared to have been doused in lighter fluid and set on fire. No injuries were reported.
As is standard protocol for fires involving churches, the House of Worship Task Force was notified and began an investigation. That task force includes the Los Angeles police and fire departments, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI….