Church, union hall were set on fire, police, fire investigators say
Federal investigators and local authorities are investigating a fire set Monday morning at a downtown Mormon church, one of two arsons in the area. The other fire was at a firefighters union hall.
Las Vegas police were notified about 6 a.m. Monday, when it appeared that the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints at 501 S. Ninth St. was broken into, The Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement. Arriving officers found the church’s door open and a haze and a burning odor in the building.
About 6:15 a.m., police requested a Las Vegas fire engine for a possible fire in the church, the statement said. When firefighters arrived, they found a fire had burned itself out.
Damage to the church was estimated at $1,000.
As firefighters waited for fire investigators to arrive on scene, they noticed the front door to the Las Vegas International Association of Firefighters Union Local 1285 hall, across the street at 502 S. Ninth St., was open. They investigated and found broken glass on the ground and again noticed a burning smell. They found the union hall had also intentionally been set on fire and that fire also burned itself out. Damage to the union hall was estimated at $3,000.
The Metropolitan Police Department and Las Vegas Fire Department are investigating both fires. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents are also investigating the church fire.
Both buildings were broken into and the fires were ruled arson. There were neither injuries nor suspects; both incidents are under investigation.
Anyone with information on the fires can call Las Vegas Fire Investigators at 702-383-2888 or Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.
Contact Raven Jackson at rjackson@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Follow @ravenmjackson on Twitter.
