ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) — Authorities say a fire that heavily damaged a new building for the St. George East Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was intentionally set.
St. George Fire Department officials say the blaze started about 1 a.m. Saturday and burned quickly through the ceiling and attic.
They say a fire sprinkler system was installed but not yet functional in the building, which was expected to be finished in about a month.
City fire officials tell the Deseret News that burn patterns suggest the blaze was started using some sort of fuel.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is helping with the fire investigation.
The original East Stake Center was built by local church members in the 1960s and was demolished to build the new building.