2 churches catch fire near South Los Angeles; investigations underway

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Investigations are underway after two churches, less than two miles apart, went up in flames near South Los Angeles.

One of the fires occurred at a church at San Pedro Street and Manchester Avenue around 12:45 a.m. Fire officials said the blaze burned from the outside of the building into the interior.

Firefighters made quick work of the blaze, knocking it down in just five minutes.

Arson investigators determined the fire was intentionally set. Most of the damage was confined to a room toward the front of the structure.

Investigator David Lisky said the church was not targeted at random. Rather, he said the fire may have been the result of a dispute between the church and the person living in that front room.

No arrests have been made.

Multiple congregations use the church, including New Creation Christian Fellowship.

The second fire started shortly after 1 a.m. at a one-story church in the 8300 block of Compton Avenue, about 1.5 miles from the first fire.

Heavy smoke was seen spewing from the attic. The blaze was knocked down at around 1:15 a.m.

Although the official cause of this blaze was unknown, L.A. County fire officials said it was not a case of arson and was likely an accident. A damage estimate was not immediately known.

Both fires were under investigation.