Columbus investigators suspect arson in church fire

Investigators believe someone purposely set fire to a church overnight in Columbus.

Get to our coronavirus coverage in just a minute... but first, columbus police have a juvenile in custody for the suspected arson of a local church.

Police say the juvenile is also connected to the burglaries of two other churches over this past weekend.

Wtvas nicole dantzler spoke with the pastor of the church destroyed in the fire.

She joins us live with what he plans to do this sunday..

As this arson investigation unfolds..

We're learning more about a string of church crimes that happened in the area this past weekend..

The pastor of the first independent methodist church said the destruction is devastating... worship service ."

"it felt like a good future was developing.

In spite of what you see with your eyes."

Gary shelton- pastor, first independent methodist church 0:00-0:04;14 all anyone can see with their eyes is a destroyed church on lehmberg road..

Debris everywhere..cha rred windows and a fallen foundation.

The pastor of the first independent methodist church said this was totally unexpected.

"devastation...devastation."

Gary shelton said yesterday his church members met inside the church for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began.

But a massive fire destroyed the church early this morning.

"something uh just wasn't right."

Columbus fire chief martin andrews said it took "something uh just wasn't right."

Columbus fire chief martin andrews said it took firefighters 4 hours to put out the fire.

He was suspicious about how much the fire got out of control.

((sot)) "it's by the grace of god that it didn't spread because it had such a big jump on us."

Chief martin andrews-columbus fire and rescue 0:50;09-0:55;11 now police have a male juvenile in custody for suspected arson of the church.

((sot)) "we have arson and then we have burglary because he did break in to start the fire."

Chief fred shelton-columbus police department 1:02;12-1:07;12 police chief fred shelton said the juvenile is booked at the juvenile detention center and he may be connected to two other churches that were burglarized this past weekend.

(nats) calvary church which is right across the street from first independent methodist..

And covenant presbyterian..

Which has this sign up for the person responsible.

(nats) pastor gary shelton said he looks forward to rebuilding the churchbut for now hes taking sunday service outdoors.

"lord willing we will be here in the parking lot, we will be having a worship service."

Although the church is destroyed..the pastors spirit isnt crushed.

The male juvenile suspect will appear before a youth court judge to certify him as an adult.

Then another judge will determine if he'll go before a grand jury.

Live in columbus nicole dantzler wtva nine news.

This is the second church fire in columbus in two days.

Fire chief martin andrews said a fire happened at the church of christ on tenth avenue yesterday.

( sunday) the fire damaged a van, church bus and an outside shed.

Chief shelton said investigators are looking at video footage to identify a suspect.

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