Last summer, an early morning fire ripped through the San Gabriel Mission, causing severe damage to the roof and interior of the landmark 249-year-old adobe-and-wood structure. Then Tuesday, a 57-year-old man who has two previous fire-related convictions was charged with setting the blaze. John David Corey, 57, is charged with felony arson in the San Gabriel Mission fire (Police file photo)It was that arrest that led investigators to link Corey to the mission fire, Capt. Jason Sutliff of the San Marino Fire Department said at a news conference at the mission Tuesday. Advertisement“The San Gabriel Mission is one of those places that was a gathering place for people of all faiths here in San Gabriel,” said Denise Menchaca, a parishioner who was mayor at the time and is still on the City Council.

Source: Los Angeles Times May 04, 2021 19:12 UTC