Mormon church vandalized after fire in Glassell Park

GLASSELL PARK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Vandals covered a Glassell Park church in graffiti a week after the building was destroyed in a fire.

"It adds insult to injury. It's unfortunate that someone would do that to a church that's been in the neighborhood for some time and means a lot to the residents of this community," neighbor Carlos Ordonez said.

On July 7, flames devoured the church's sanctuary after a brush fire broke out along the 2 Freeway near Verdugo Road and quickly spread up the hill to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The Mormon church suffered extensive damage and the graffiti was another devastating blow.

"It's very distasteful. I don't what message they're trying to get out by doing something like this," said James Jenks, a church spokesman.

Police say the graffiti is the work of a known tagging crew. The paint appears to be fresh and may have taken the suspects several nights to complete.

"We haven't recovered from losing our building, now just pouring salt on our wounds. Makes no sense to me," Jenks said.