2 Children Hospitalized as Result of Firebomb

SHERMAN OAKS — Two children seriously burned as the result of a firebomb tossed into their second-floor bedroom window by an unknown assailant remained hospitalized Tuesday. One was in critical condition.

Rafi Moshe, 10--the most seriously injured in the attack early Monday--was in the intensive care unit at Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center, breathing with the aid of a respirator, said Adelaida De La Cerda, a hospital spokeswoman.

The boy, suffering from smoke inhalation, also sustained first-, second- and third-degree burns on about 10% of his body, De La Cerda said.

His sister, Chaya, 9, was listed in fair condition at Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles, said Steve Rutledge, a hospital spokesman.

Arson investigators from the Los Angeles Fire Department questioned neighbors and the children’s family Tuesday but have neither established a motive for the attack nor identified suspects, said Jim Wells, a spokesman for the department.

“We are actively investigating this incident,” Wells said.

*

Chaya Moshe, who underwent plastic surgery Monday, suffered first- and second-degree burns on about 10% of her body, primarily her hands and arms, Rutledge said.

“She’s recovering nicely,” he said.

The fire occurred Monday just after 1 a.m. at an apartment complex in the 5000 block of Woodman Avenue when someone threw a Molotov cocktail into the children’s room.

Neighbors reported hearing shattering glass and seeing a dark Nissan sedan hurrying from an alley just below the children’s room.

Rafi escaped into the living room, where his mother, Batsheva Moshe, and a neighbor led him out of the apartment. Chaya jumped out the bedroom window into the arms of three men coaching her from the alley.

Children at Carpenter Avenue Elementary School--where Chaya is a student--have been told what happened to their schoolmate, said Nelle Hefner, the school’s program coordinator.

Some of the students said they wanted to donate clothes to Chaya.

“They were very sad and upset about what happened,” Hefner said. But, she continued, “they know she’s going to get better.”