Probe continues into Hacienda Heights church arson
HACIENDA HEIGHTS -- An arsonist may have destroyed a house of worship over the weekend, however St. John Vianney Church is as strong as ever, clergy and parishioners said.
Los Angeles County sheriff's investigators have determined a massive fire that caused an estimated $8 million worth to damage to the church,1345 Turnbull Canyon Road, just after midnight Saturday was intentionally set.
"The extensive structure fire at St. John Vianney Church in Hacienda Heights has been confirmed as an act of arson," sheriff's officials said in a written statement.
"We are actively investigating to identify the suspect responsible. At this time we are not able to share any leads that we are working on."
Richard and Maria Navarro, who have been attending the church for 38 years, said they were devastated by the destruction behind the church's scorched main building.
"Whoever did this is just... there's no name for it," Maria Navarro said. "They did it to a whole community."
"(But) it is a building, and they did not destroy the church. We are the church."
Despite the outrage over the senseless destruction, parishioners and church staff also spoke of forgiveness.
"It's a very troubled person that did this, and we'll pray for him as well," Maria Navarro said.
The Navarros said they have made countless wonderful memories inside the gutted church. All three of their children received their first communion there, and one of their daughters was married there.
Masses are being held in the church's activities center, to the rear of the damaged main church building.
Father Ricky Viveros reiterated that the loss of a building will not weaken the church.
"Our parish is alive and well," he said. "We're the church. The people."
Viveros also called on the community to pray for whoever's responsible for the blaze.
While Viveros acknowledged that the fire has cause caused some broken hearts, "There's a sense that we're going to triumph over this act of evil and move forward."
St. John Vianney Church, he said, "will be rebuilt."
Viveros was one of three church officials inside on on-campus house when the fire broke out.
"What woke me up was what sounded like glass breaking," he said. "I thought someone was breaking in."
When he looked out his second-floor window, the church was already engulfed in flames.
He gathered the other two men inside the home and all three exited unscathed.
Despite preliminary official reports that one of three priests who were inside a house on the church property suffered minor smoke inhalation, Viveros said that was, luckily, not the case.
A firefighter suffered a cut to his hand while battling the blaze, Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Bernard Peters said. He was treated at a local hospital and released later Saturday.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call the sheriff's Industry Station at 626-330-3322.
CONTRIBUTORS
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
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