On Friday, July 7, 2006 at 8:04 a.m., two companies of Los Angeles firefighters and four LAFD arson investigators responded to an Incendiary Fire at ‘Temple Beith David’ located at 18648 Clark Street in Tarzana.
Summoned but once by a neighbor who had grown weary of hearing alarm bells ringing at the building for more than two hours, neighborhood firefighters arrived quickly to discover burnt debris piled against rear doors of the Jewish Temple amidst obvious signs of criminal vandalism.
In accordance with Los Angeles Fire Department protocol, the House of Worship Arson Task Force (HOWATF) was requested as firefighters cordoned off the area and confirmed that fire sprinklers located under the eaves of the recently refurbished building had indeed fully extinguished the flames.
Investigators from the Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Police Department were soon joined at the scene by their HOWATF colleagues from the United States Department of Justice: Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in commencing a formal investigation.
Property loss attributed to the purposely-set blaze, including damage to a pair of large oak doors, is estimated at $9,000. No physical injuries were reported.
The sprinkler-activated bells heard by the neighbor appear to have only sounded locally, and were not connected to an alarm service that would have notified firefighters at the time of sprinkler activation.
While no credible threat is now known to local houses of worship, firefighters ask residents to remain watchful of such properties, and to report suspicious activity to Law Enforcement officials.
Firefighters also suggest that those with commercial alarm and/or sprinkler systems assure they are both functional and connected to a monitoring service.
This arson fire is not expected to effect a planned Sunday dedication ceremony at the site, celebrating the building’s four-year conversion from a post office to the San Fernando Valley’s newest synagogue.
The criminal attack remains under active investigation by members of the multi-agency House of Worship Arson Task Force. Those with information or tips for the investigation team are asked to contact LAFD Investigator Thomas Derby at 213-485-6514 or FBI Agent Kenneth E. Smith at 310-477-6565.