Arson suspected in LDS chapel fire

CENTERVILLE — Firefighters are investigating an early morning blaze at an LDS church they believe was intentionally set.

The fire was first reported about 2:30 a.m. Friday, when someone driving by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' chapel at 620 N. 100 East spotted flames and called 911.

"The passer-by saw the fire, had a fire extinguisher, stopped and extinguished it from the outside," said South Davis Metro Fire Deputy Chief Jeff Bassett.

Firefighters responded within two minutes to help extinguish the blaze. The fire melted portions of a shatter-resistant window made of a combination of glass and plastic, but flames were blocked from spreading by fire resistant curtains inside the church, firefighters said.

"We didn't really have any damage inside the building, just a lot of smoke," Bassett said.

Damage to the building is estimated at about $2,000. Investigators were on the scene of the fire on Friday morning, looking over the scorched areas of the brick building and questioning the passer-by, who was returning home from work.

A search of the building itself did not yield any more clues, Bassett said.

"The investigators looking at it feel it was intentionally set," he said. "It was a small fire, but it was intentionally set."

Police did not have any suspects as of Friday, but South Davis Metro Fire said anyone with information is urged to call them at 801-677-2400.

E-MAIL: bwinslow@desnews.com