Agoura Hills park struck by arson
Forest Cove targeted twice in one year
By Sylvie Belmond  belmond@theacorn.com

WORRIED--Sgt. Craig Anderson of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Arson and Bomb Squad seeks information about the fire that destroyed the park play area behind him. A flammable liquid was used. SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers

The smell of burnt wood at Forest Cove Park in Agoura Hills still permeated the air Tuesday afternoon as Sgt. Craig Anderson of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Arson and Bomb Squad answered questions from concerned neighbors about a recent fire that destroyed one of the park's play areas.

Forest Cove's upper play structure was destroyed when it was purposely lit on fire in the late hours between April 7 and 8, Anderson said.

Alerted by neighbors, firefighters extinguished the blaze quickly. But the fire could have spread if the Santa Ana winds were up, Anderson said. "It was burning hot like a roman candle."

Anderson suspects the blaze was started by arsonists because traces of a flammable liquid were found.

"This is clearly arson, all the signs are there," he said.

The unknown liquid was poured onto the concrete near the play area and ignited. The flames spread to the dry woodchips next to the plastic structure and then to the structure itself.

"It's only a playground but it's most upsetting because homes are near. They could have killed people," said Crystal Alexander, a resident who lives close to the park.

"I have photos of my kids playing on this playground," said Levon Penzetta, who was disappointed about the loss because she was planning to host a birthday party for her son there.

The same play area was targeted by arsonists on April 3. The incident caused minimal damage to the play area ramps and plastic benches, but the two occurrences appear related, Anderson said.

"It didn't go well the first time so they apparently came back and did it again," he said. A small fire also was set at the park last year.

"It seems they were testing it to see what it would take to light it up," said Nick Newkirk, community services coordinator for Agoura Hills.

City workers have since removed the charred structure. Newkirk estimates it will cost about $25,000 to replace the equipment, but no timetable was given.

The men's restroom at Old Agoura Park on Driver Avenue sustained fire-related damage on March 20, officials said. There were burn marks to the bathroom sink.

"It's really sad that they keep damaging our parks like this; nothing good comes from it," Newkirk said. The city of Agoura Hills is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

"There is a strong likelihood that we will get this solved," Anderson said.

The Lost Hills Station's juvenile intervention team says it has several tips, but still seeks the assistance of local residents.

Arson is a felony and the punishment depends on what was burnt, whether there were injuries and what was used to start the fire.

Anyone with information is asked to call the local sheriff's station at (818) 878-1808 or contact Anderson directly at (323) 881-7500.