From Deseret News archives:
2 teens arrested after church fire
Investigators believe a 16-year-old female and 17-year-old male used a baseball bat to break through the glass doors of an LDS church at 1078 McClelland Street (1040 East), and then vandalized some of the building's interior before pouring a flammable liquid down a hallway and igniting it, said Salt Lake City Assistant Fire Chief Dennis McKone.
Before the teenagers entered the church, they also spray-painted graffiti on the outside of the building, McKone said.
As the two were leaving the church, two men who live adjacent to the church happened to be out walking their dog, saw what was happening and apprehended them, holding them until police arrived. The men declined to comment Wednesday.
The fire went to two alarms and caused an estimated $500,000 damage. McKone said that if not for some quick action by firefighters to contain the flames, the entire building could have been lost.
Salt Lake City fire investigators met with representatives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms on Wednesday afternoon to talk about the fire, the possible motive for setting it and whether it was simply mischievous juveniles or a hate crime.
"It's not a hate crime," McKone said.
Investigators did not know why the juveniles started the fire but believed there was enough evidence to rule out a hate crime.
McKone also said investigators did not believe the teenagers could be connected to any other recent incidents of church vandalism.
On Tuesday, Salt Lake County sheriff's deputies took reports of an LDS church near 3000 South and 2800 East that had been sprayed with graffiti in the parking lot and had a Molotov cocktail thrown at a shed on the property. The Molotov cocktail left a black mark but not significant damage.
A second church belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the Millcreek area, has also been vandalized with graffiti in recent months, as well as an LDS church in Salt Lake City.
E-mail: preavy@desnews.com
Comments
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point 9:48 p.m.
- Where's 'Tag when Utah needs him? 9:45 p.m.
- 12 Utes return to Texas 9:43 p.m.
- Birthdays for Wednesday, Nov. 11 9:43 p.m.
- Vampires seem to be People's Choice 9:42 p.m.
- Developer looking to buy RSL share 9:42 p.m.
- Ex-Miss California: Sex tape mistake 9:39 p.m.
- The Number: Conflicted Islam? 9:38 p.m.
- Denzel is returning to N.Y. stage 9:36 p.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies 9:33 p.m.
- Utah group finds homes for orphans
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
- Y. tight ends talented tandem
- Jazz blow big lead, hang on
- Utes get extra motivation
- Senators want food tax restored
- Hair-pulling raises more questions
- BYU soccer incident still popular
- Lobo land like home for BYU lineman
- U. hopes to keep clicking
- House passes health care bill
261 - TCU showdown has big implications
188 - Lobo suspended
185 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Senators want food tax restored
147 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
104 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
104 - RSL rallies to advance
103
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants nationwide will honor...
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Please lose this game to enable the automatic BCS bids for the next two...
I personally don't understand why those who choose to live a gay lifestyle...
Am I correct in that this ordinance excludes churches, allowing them to...
Go get em Flyers!! Should be a great game.
What the gay activists fails to realise is it doesn't take into consideration...
It is great how the media wants you only to see what they want you to see.
"If we say one cannot discriminate on the basis of race, religion, or sexual...
"If Congress can employ money indefinitely to the general welfare, and are...
Whittingham is a good coach. He always has his team prepared for the big...
Congratulations! I didn't think it would be possible! Go and enjoy yourselves...




You can be the first to comment on this story.