News briefs

Investigation continues into Westwood apartment
fire

The cause behind two fires at the Club California apartment
complex is still being investigated by the fire department’s
arson unit, the fire department reported.

The fires, which blazed in Room 511 at 10982 Roebling Ave. twice
during a three-day span in early March, have been under
investigation by both the fire department and the U.S. Secret
Service.

No one was injured in either fire, while residents were forced
to evacuate the building both times after the building’s
manual fire alarms were pulled.

The fires were started from “multiple sources of
ignition” including a flammable liquid, and caused an
estimated $35,000 of damage to the room, according to the fire
department.

According to a letter distributed by the complex’s
management after the second fire, Secret Service Agent Jeff Thomas
was assigned to investigate the case over allegations of illicit
activity being part of the cause of the two fires.

The previous resident of the vacant apartment might have set
fire to the room in order to destroy evidence of illegal
counterfeiting activity, the letter said.

Thomas did not return multiple phone calls seeking comment.

Plans to renovate the room are already underway, said Tony
Mouallem, property manager of Club California, as both the arson
unit and the Secret Service have finished inspecting the room. He
also said the arson unit told him the fire was purposely set.

Compiled by Eli Rosenberg, Bruin contributor.