Fresno Fire believes fires at Armenian cemetery arson, not hate crime
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Fresno Fire is investigating multiple suspected arson fires at the Ararat Armenian Cemetery near Roeding Park this past weekend.
The fires resulted in the destruction of multiple cypress trees, those of which were a minimum of 60 years old.
‘Deliberate’ fires at Fresno cemetery under investigation
They also created fears of a possible hate crime days away from the Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide on April 24.
However, Fresno Fire investigators have ruled that out, as they say, the trees burned over the weekend are just the latest of many they say have been ignited in the area.
An area that includes multiple other cemeteries, like Holy Cross and Mountain View cemeteries.
“There’s been absolutely zero information or crimes that have been committed that we could link to any sort of a hate crime. There’s been no tagging, no defacing of property, no vandalism,” said Deputy Fire Marshal Jay Tracy.
Tracy says the fires date back to Jan. 13. Each instance took place in neighboring cemeteries directly next to Ararat.
One burned tree could be seen Tuesday at Mountain View Cemetery.
“Point being is that have somebody that has seen fit to ignite some of the Italian Cypress Trees in that area,” said Tracy. “Probably 15 and 20 trees that have been burned.”
The cemeteries sit right off Belmont Avenue near Parkway Drive with limited security.
“It’s a wide-open area. There’s no lighting, there’s no security, there’s no cameras, there’s no fencing, there’s no barriers to keep somebody from just walking through. And then, it’s in an area, a part of town where unfortunately we have a large congregation of people up at night,” said Tracy.
For Armenians living in Fresno, around the state, and around the world, the fears of hate following the fires were very real.
“There’s always that in the back of our mind that this could be some type of crime like that,” said Mark Topoozian, president of the Ararat Armenian Cemetery Association.
However, Topoozian reiterated Tracy’s message and looked to calm the fears of those with loved ones buried in the cemetery.
“I want the people that have loved ones and family buried here at the cemetery to know that none of the gravesites have been damaged. None of the gravestones have been damaged or vandalized,” Topoozian told us.
Topoozian also shared a message to those responsible.
“Please. You’re ruining our property. We just want it to stop,” he said. “Hopefully, our police and fire departments can find the people and end this.”
Topoozian says they have security stationed at the cemetery full-time until they can upgrade their systems.
If you know anything about who may have started the fires you’re asked to contact Fresno Police or Fresno Fire investigators.
