SAN DIEGO -- Friday's pre-dawn fires at houses under construction in the Torrey Highlands was terrorism that put the lives of firefighters and others at risk, Mayor Dick Murphy and City Councilman Scott Peters said.

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Eco-Terrorism Suspected

"This is a cowardly act by a group that has no legitimacy," Peters said of the suspected culprits: the Earth Liberation Front.

"This action put the lives of firefighters and nearby residents at risk," said Peters, who represents the area. "Someone could have been killed. This is terrorism, not activism."

Murphy also denounced the ELF.

"The Earth Liberation Front is nothing but a pack of terrorists," he said. "Their irresponsible acts threaten the lives of San Diego firefighters and other innocent victims, while achieving nothing for the environment. I promise to use all our city's resources to bring those responsible to justice."

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See Images Of Flames See Images Of Flames From Previous ELF Arson

Peters pledged that the city of San Diego will "work closely with state and federal authorities to make sure the people behind this despicable act will be found and held accountable."

Peters represents the First District, which has suffered at least four arson fires over the past six weeks, including ones in Torrey Highlands, University City and Carmel Valley.

Today's initial fires, which began about 2 a.m., burned three houses under construction at a Shea Homes development in the 7100 block of Primrose Way, according to police.

Another fire, reported at 3:50 a.m. and about 3 miles away, burned a house under construction at a Pardee Homes site in the 5500 block of Rabbit Ridge Road, Nemetz said.

The ELF has claimed responsibility or is suspected in a string of arsons, which include a $50 million fire on Aug. 3 that leveled a 206-unit, five-story apartment complex under construction in University City.

The group has claimed responsibility for at least 36 attacks in recent years, including a recent arson and vandalism spree in Los Angeles County where several Hummers and other sport utility vehicles were torched or vandalized at four dealerships in one night.

A man purporting to be an ELF member told the Los Angeles Times recently his organization tries to ensure that no humans get injured by its actions.