Residents at Marina del Rey condo complex believe arsonist is targeting building
LOS ANGELES - Residents at a Marina del Rey condo complex believe someone has been lighting fires on the property.
Residents at Marina City Club say since May, they've had about one fire per week and believe they are being targeted by a serial arsonist.
In June, photos showed damage done to a laundry room. In another incident, a custodian found lighter fluid next to a public bathroom near the tennis courts.
There's also letters from the Harbor and Beaches Commission asking property managers about fires in the men’s bathroom in the Albatross Breezeway and in the restroom of the west pool on July 8th.
"Everyone at the marina city club is concerned about all of the fires," said resident Teri Hirano.
In December, flames exploded at the nearby California Yacht Club, destroying it and injuring two fire personnel. The cause has yet to be released, but residents at the Marina Club are worried something similar could happen to them.
"We are very concerned because we have a lot of seniors and disabled in those building, three of those buildings are 18 stories high," Hirano added.
Elevators are marked saying don't use in case of a fire, with stairs as the only way out.
LA County Fire has responded to the building before and say they are investigating.
Marina City Club released a statement saying, "Our team has been, and continues, working diligently with local authorities to address this issue. We are committed to identifying and apprehending those responsible for these incidents, and have taken several measures to reduce these occurrences:
Increased Surveillance: The Board has approved the installation of additional surveillance cameras. Our vendor has been notified, and we are currently awaiting their installation to bolster our monitoring capabilities.
Enhanced Patrols: We have increased the frequency of our property patrols throughout the Marina City Club to ensure a more visible presence.
Safety Measures: We have implemented new measures to reduce the risk of future fires and to protect our community.
We are also asking for your assistance in maintaining the safety of our property. If you see any suspicious activity or notice someone fleeing from an enclosed common area, please report it to Property Services immediately. Your vigilance can play a crucial role in preventing further incidents."