$20,000 Reward Set in Church Fire

A $20,000 reward was announced Thursday for information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible for setting the early morning blaze that seriously damaged the sanctuary of First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.

At a news conference outside the church on West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles City Fire Chief William Bamattre said the fire was the work of an arsonist.

“We stand prepared to denounce the vile act of arson directed at any house of worship,” said City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, whose district includes the church. “These are homes away from home, and we simply will not tolerate our homes being violated.”

The reward is being offered by the City Council.

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Fire erupted at the church July 21 at 2:30 a.m. and caused more than $1 million in damage. The multi-agency House of Worship Arson Task Force, which includes the city fire and police departments, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, investigated the blaze.

For the congregation, learning that the blaze was intentionally set answers one question but raises another.

“Now that it has been determined that it is arson, the foremost question in my mind and in the mind of my congregation is, ‘Why? Why our church?’ ” said the Rev. Windle Tucker, First AME Zion’s pastor. “When you strike at the black church or any church, you strike at the heart of the community.”

Tucker said the congregation was “more determined at this time to rebuild” and to ensure that the church continues “to be a beacon” in the community.

The fire is one of 16 investigated by the year-old local unit of the House of Worship Arson Task Force, a nationwide group formed after a rash of church burnings in the South.

City Fire Marshal Jimmy Hill encouraged local churches to take preventive measures--correcting exterior lighting and securing areas that may provide easy access to an arsonist. He also recommended that churches enlist the help of Neighborhood Watch groups.

Battalion Chief Terry Manning said the blaze at First AME Zion was not connected to any other fire in Los Angeles. The incident has not been classified as a hate crime, but the inquiry and interviews are still being conducted, Manning said.

The investigation, he said, “will not rest until this person is brought to justice.” He encouraged the public to call an arson hotline--(888) ATF-FIRE--with any information.

After the blaze, the church received an outpouring of support, including an offer from Walt Disney Co. to help finance the rebuilding. Other ministers offered the congregation the use of their sanctuaries.

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Members of the congregation, many of whom are older, are saddened but encouraged, Tucker said.

“They really loved coming here,” he said. “There are so many memories here. Children have been married here. Loved ones have been buried here.”

But the congregants also know that fire “can’t burn the human spirit,” he said. “You can’t burn the faith that we preach. Our hope is that it will bring this church even closer together.”

A service is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Southern Missionary Baptist Church, 4678 W. Adams Blvd., to demonstrate solidarity with the members of First AME Zion, said the Rev. Norman S. Johnson Sr., president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s Los Angeles branch.

“A strong statement should be made by the community that such acts will not go unnoticed,” Johnson said.