Fire Breaks out at Manhattan Beach Church, Arson Suspected

A church in Manhattan Beach sustained minor fire damage and the person believed responsible eluded a police perimeter, authorities said today.

Cleaners at the Journey of Faith Church in the 1400 block of Artesia Blvd. found a small fire in a trash can inside the church at the same time a patrol officer heard a fire alarm from the church, around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday, said Manhattan Beach police Lt. Ryan Small.

Small said the suspect, a white man aged 45-50, of medium-to-heavy build and 5 feet 10, with gray hair, eluded a two-block perimeter and remained at large this morning.

Damage to the church was being assessed, Small said.

The church experienced another fire not even a year ago. In that case, heat from a large commercial vacuum cleaner stored near combustible paper goods was determined to be the cause.

--City News Service