A man was caught on camera setting fire to an American flag outside the home of an Israeli-American family in West Hills on Saturday night.
It happened around 8 p.m. near Vanowen Street and Platt Avenue.
The homeowner told KNX News’ Emily Valdez she was out with her kids when she received a notification on her Ring doorbell. It was then she saw a man setting fire to the American flag outside her home.
“I see a fire on the top of the roof and on the grass area, like a fire starting,” she said.
While the homeowner hurried home, her neighbor Jeff spotted the fire while driving home with his wife. He said he got out of the car and took action.
“[I] grabbed the hose, pulled it out and sprayed it down with the hose and then the neighbors came out,” he said.
He said the incident is troubling.
“It’s scary,” he said. “I'm Jewish. We have mezuzah on our door and I took it down because I’m scared.”
The homeowner said she’s blessed to have a good neighbor.
“They're always watching outside,” she said. “They're always aware.”
A search is underway for the suspect. Anyone with any information is asked to call LAPD’s arson unit.
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