Saanich police investigate suspicious fire at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

CHEK
Saanich police investigate suspicious fire at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Saanich Police is investigating a suspicious fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Mann Avenue.

Officers received a call at 10 a.m. Monday morning when church staff found the front doors burnt and windows broken.

The blaze was out when crews arrived and is believed to have started overnight.

Const. Markus Anastasiades with Saanich Police said the fire looked to have been contained to outside the front doors, which was very lucky.

“The fire was hot enough that it broke the glass,” Anastasiades said. “There was a table in there that was very close to the front doors that could have caught fire, fortunately it did not.”

Saanich Police has deemed the fire suspicious.

Anastasiades said there is currently very little information on what caused the fire or if it was a targeted attack, adding police are looking for witnesses to assist with the investigation.

“Whether that be a person in the area, maybe even hanging out in the alcove overnight, certainly want to hear from you. It’s a bit of a sheltered location and a bit hidden from the road,” he explained.

No injuries were reported and the total cost of damage is not yet known.

CHEK News did reach out to the church for comment, but did not hear back.

Mackenzie ReadMackenzie Read

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