Arson investigators are looking into if a series of fires in the Sherman Oaks area are connected.
One of the fires was reported at an apartment complex on 4721 Kester Ave. around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to LAFD spokeswoman Margaret Stewart.
James Reese, one of the residents, told KNX News’ Karen Adams that while he wasn’t home, his Ring camera captured the moments leading up to the fire. Footage from the camera showed a someone riding up to the carport on their bike, go behind one of the four cars parked there, and light something.
A fire explosion is then seen. All four cars in the carport were destroyed in the fire and two apartments were damaged, including Reese’s.
“When I get here, everything is pretty much an aftermath as far as the stuff burnt,” he said. “I used to park right there and I had a lot of garden tools. Everything is gone.”
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He added that he lost his mother's piano and grandmother's Bible.
Another resident, Jeff, said his son went into his apartment to notify him of the fire.
“All of a sudden he came running in and he yelled, ‘Dad! Get out of the apartment! Get the cats!’” he recalled. “And when I walked out. All you could see was a big wall of flame. That was it.”
No injuries were reported.
The fire at the carport was one of three fires that burned overnight, forcing fire crews to scramble to extinguish them.
Another fire was reported at the World Market in the 15200 block of Ventura Boulevard near Sepulveda Boulevard at around 11:30 p.m.
A third fire was reported at a garage behind homes in the 4600 block of Columbus Avenue at 1:15 a.m. Wednesday. Authorities said multiple garage fires were set in the area.
There was another fire at the In-N-Out Burger on Van Nuys and Ventura boulevards reported on Wednesday.
Investigators with the LAFD and LAPD are working together to determine if the fires are connected.
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