San Francisco Armenian Church building set ablaze by arsonists

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Board of Trustees of the St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of San Francisco announced on Thursday that the building adjacent to the church was set ablaze by arsonists on Thursday, September 17, Asbarez reports.

“The building housed Vasbouragan Hall, as well as offices for St. Gregory Armenian Church and various organizations. The San Francisco Fire Department responded immediately, however, the building has suffered a great loss,” said the church board of trustees.

Armenian community officials said that the fire was started in three different areas on the building–the church Sunday School classrooms, the church office and the Hamazkayin Library.

This follows an attack on the Krouzian-Zekarian Vasbouragan Armenian School and the adjacent community center in July. The exterior of the building was spray painted with anti-Armenian, pro-Azerbaijani graffiti.