Comments about ‘Fire burns new building on Los Angeles LDS Temple grounds’

4,000 square foot home? WOW!

'The possibility of arson is being explored by fire department officials, which is the standard response for any fire at a religious site.' - Article

I'm glad no one seemed to be hurt according to the article.

Unfortunate that damage to property was done at all but at least the fire was containted to one area. Versus the entire structure.

I hope the investigators find anyone who might have been involved in setting the fire.

Re: "4,000 square foot home? WOW!"

Please note -- mission president's homes often house quarters for mission staff and/or mission offices, in addition to the typically modest living quarters for the president and his often-large family.

@kami: It is pretty typical for a mission president's home to have living quarters upstairs with office area down. Most likely this would have been the case here.

The offices of the California Los Angeles Mission are located elsewhere on the temple grounds. I walked by them many times when I lived in SoCal. However, when missionaries arrive and leave the misson, they typically are hosted at the home of the president, so a large kitchen and dining area, as well as a generous living room area would seem to be appropriate. Other than that, it does seem to be a large home.
My guess is that the church wanted to ensure the safety of the mission president and his family. Westwood is an upscale area, but unfortunately, some of the surrounding neighborhoods, especially to the south of the temple, seemed to deteriorate during the years I drove through them after exiting the Santa Monica freeway to attend.

The 1 am fire on the LA Temple Grounds did not make the morning edition of the LA Times. Although the fire news made it on about 930am today on the electonic LA Times. The Fire appears to be north of the Temple proper by the Vistors Center. The LA Times had a picture of the remains on the Mission President's home. Prehaps DN staff can provide a link to the picture

Mission homes also include rooms for the missionaries that are coming into and leaving the mission field as well.

I thought temple and their grounds were suppose to be protected?

This upset me as the L.A. Temple was were I was married. I love this Temple even though I do not live in L.A. any more. I am so glad that the Temple was o.k. but sad to hear about this home being a loss.

The LA times articule shows picture of both new homes under construction. They are single story. They look small. And after viewing site via GoogleEarth, there is not much room for the two homes as sited in the picture and corrilated to the google view. My guess is, the quoted 4,000 sq ft is for both houses.

Kami, Mulder, you guys crack me up....

There has now been mention in these comments of two new homes under constuction. Was it one, or both that were damaged in the fire? This sounds like it is a story that will be developing over time.

I was glad to hear it was not the temple that was damaged and no one was hurt.

NedGrimley~
I like you already!

Hate crimes and bigotry seem to be alive and well in California.

"Hate crimes and bigotry seem to be alive and well in California." - casual observer | 10:59 a.m. Jan. 11, 2012

Are you under the impression Utah is above such things...?

**'Hate crimes against gays rose 11%, data show' - By Devlin Barrett - AP - Published by DSNews - 11/24/09

**'Official Statement: Hate Speech Tagged at (Utah Pride) Center' - 08/20/10

**Survey shows some LGBT residents dont feel safe By Rosemary Winters SL Tribune 07/12/10

'A kiss between two men on the LDS Churchs Main Street Plaza that resulted in trespassing charges.

***Attack in Utah county being investigated as possible hate-motivated crime By Seth Bracken Qsalt Lake 09/08/11

This last one...

was just 5 months ago.