Arson Blamed in Fire at Church-Run Home; 3 Firefighters Hurt

Fire officials said arson was probably to blame for a blaze in Highland Park that destroyed a church-sponsored home for disabled and elderly men early Thursday.

Three firefighters suffered minor injuries as a result of the fire, which occurred about 2 a.m. at the home operated by the Christ Faith Mission in the 6000 block of Hayes Street, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Michael Hallett said.

The five men who lived at the home escaped unharmed, authorities said. The Rev. H. J. Smith, who heads the mission, said the men were resettled at a mission dormitory across the street. Smith said a transient who recently was asked to leave the property several times is suspected of starting the blaze by setting fire to a sofa on the front porch. There were no arrests, authorities said.