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Officials say arson to blame in massive LA apartment fire

By Danielle Haynes
The DaVinci apartment complex under construction in downtown LA burned down in a massive fire Monday morning. Photo by Marc Ambinder/Twitter
The DaVinci apartment complex under construction in downtown LA burned down in a massive fire Monday morning. Photo by Marc Ambinder/Twitter

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- A massive fire that consumed an unfinished downtown Los Angeles apartment complex and caused damage to other buildings was declared to be arson, fire investigators said Thursday.

A news release issued by the Los Angeles Fire Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said a joint investigation by the two organizations determined the fire, which caused between $20 million and $30 million in damage, was an act of arson.

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The seven-story Da Vinci Apartment Complex was under construction Dec. 8 when it went up in flames, causing damage to three nearby structures and forcing the closure of the 110 and 101 freeways for several hours.

"Investigators recovered sufficient evidence to eliminate all known potential accidental causes and determine the fire was intentionally set," the fire department release said.

Investigators failed to give specific details about the cause of the fire.

"The work at the crime scene is finished, however our investigation is not over," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Carlos A. Canino "ATF will continue to work together with our state and local partners to investigate this crime and bring those responsible to justice."

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