WEST ADAMS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A family in the West Adams neighborhood of South Los Angeles was left in shock after they said someone set their home on fire in the middle of the night.
According to the homeowner, Robert, his wife was tending to their baby around 3 a.m. on Thursday when she heard a loud noise. He said she saw a flash of light and rushed out of the bedroom to see the front door was engulfed in flames.
A neighbor’s surveillance camera shows what appeared to be two individuals setting fire to the home and taking off.
Robert and one of his neighbors were able to put out most of the fire before firefighters arrived. That’s when they noticed what they believe were fire-starting tools, including several buckets and rolls of toilet paper that smelled of gasoline.
“Basically, it looked like a bomb went off on our front porch, which they lit one of the buckets of gasoline on fire, right at the front door,” said Robert. “It immediately exploded, catching the second bucket on fire as well. Had my wife not been awake when it took place, we can only imagine how much worse it could’ve been.”
Robert said he and his wife haven’t personally met many of their neighbors, but that many have stopped by to offer their support.
The home is uninhabitable, but the family is staying close to monitor it. They’re unsure when they’ll be able to get back in.
Meantime, the Los Angeles Fire Department is checking nearby security cameras as the investigation continues.
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