Sylmar Blaze: Oakridge Mobile Home Park declared "Crime Scene."

[Mike 03]

About two hours ago, all reporters were asked to leave the decimated Oakrdige Mobile Home Park in Sylmar, where hundreds of homes were burnt to the ground. There still hasn't been any explanation that I've heard for this.

Is this just a routine request to prevent looting, etc.? I've followed wildfires before and never heard of such a request before.

Does this indicate that the fire is believed to be the result of arson?

Just curious if anybody knows why this demand was issued.

Also, my thoughts are prayers are with any DUers (or actually everyone) in or near these fire areas. This is a very sad disaster.

[pinto]

1. Considered a crime scene, so fire inspectors/investigators suspect arson.

Want to preserve any evidence there may be at the site.

It occasionally happens out here after a well publicized fire that a "copycat" fire crops up, arson.

[SoCalDem]

3. and the "flash point" seems to have been in a nearby park

which sounded fishy to me when I started watching this last night at 10:30.. fires usually don't spontaneously start in empty parks..

[Mike 03]

4. Thank you. Wow, if this is arson, it is an unspeakable thing that someone has

done.

[uppityperson]

2. This article says crime scene, may have been set

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sylmarfire16-2008nov16,0,4171399.story
Suggesting that the fire may have been intentionally set, the Los Angeles Police Department today sealed off the mobile home park and declared it a crime scene.

[Mike 03]

5. Thank you very much, and thank you for the link. N/T

[Mike 03]

6. If it's true this is arson, it's doubly shocking because I believe it was started near

a hospital.

Whoa. I had a feeling that the Orange County fires were probably copycat arsons, but I honestly didn't think the Sylmar fire was.

[kestrel91316]

7. They probably have evidence of arson. And maybe a body, too.

BAD BAD smoke here, fierce gusting, shifting winds. The only good thing is, it's only 90 out there and not the 100+ they predicted.

500+ homes lost, most in a mobile home park in Sylmar.

[wtmusic]

8. Crime scene would suggest that arson is being investigated

My wife was walking in the San Gabriel mountains about 10mi from Sylmar and was asked by a police officer for her name and address, saying it was related to the Sylmar fire. ?!