Firefighters initially responded about 4:45 a.m. to a report of a rubbish fire at the Sylmar Christian Fellowship on Polk Street, just northeast of the 210 Freeway, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
[Ads /]
"Upon arrival, firefighters found the flames to be out (and a garden hose on the ground nearby), and only smoldering wood remained," the agency said in a statement.
The crosses were part of the church property, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department said, and an unknown substance was used to ignite them. The flames did not spread beyond the crosses.
"It's a shame that people still want to do things like this," Pierre Howard, the church's pastor, said at a news conference, adding that the church had not received any threats. "It's a multiracial congregation we have, so there should be no issue -- we have no issue. I think it's just, someone at that moment in time made a bad decision. I hope that's what it is."
In accordance with protocol, LAPD and Fire Department investigators were notified of the incident because it occurred at a house of worship.
[Ads /]
Gary Bice, who lives near the scene, said he was disgusted by what had happened.
"Oh, this is no prank. When someone does this, this is full-blown racism," he said. "They know that this is a Black church.
"And these people, they give away food on certain weekends. They're great people. I don't know them personally but they are nice people."
The investigation was ongoing.