On Sunday, December 17, 2023, at 2:47 a.m., County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire located on West Monterey Avenue in the City of Pomona. Upon arrival, firefighters found a single-story church with heavy fire showing. Firefighters immediately initiated fire attack and search and rescue operations. The incident commander called for a second alarm resource assignment to assist with firefighting operations.
Thankfully, there were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the LACoFD Arson Investigation Unit.
The church had a toy drive scheduled for later in the evening on the day of the fire. Toys scheduled to be distributed that evening were sadly destroyed in the fire.
To ensure the toy giveaway went on as scheduled, the LACoFD teamed up with the ABC7 Spark of Love campaign, California Senator Susan Rubio, the Office of First District Supervisor Hilda Solis, and City of Pomona Mayor Tom Sandoval to deliver a box truck full of 500 toys to the church event.
Despite the fire, the holiday event went on as planned with children and families overjoyed with happiness to receive toys. The smiles and heartfelt messages of thanks were priceless.
The LACoFD extends our gratitude to all who have and continue to generously donate to the Spark of Love campaign to bring joy to children this holiday season.
