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By Kent Larsen
NEWSFLASH: Mesa LDS Chapel Heavily Damaged in Arson Fire
MESA, ARIZONA -- An LDS chapel in Mesa, Arizona was heavily damaged early
this morning in an arson fire. Investigators with the federal Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms have been called in to investigate the fire,
which caused damage estimated at $200,000, according to local Fire
department officials.
The fire was discovered about midnight in an LDS chapel located near Val
Vista Drive and Southern Avenue. According to stake president Richard
Westergard, he was told someone used stacked hymnals to set fires in four
different locations inside the chapel. The same chapel was also damaged by
arson in June 1993.
Two dozen firefighters worked for about 15 minutes to get the fire under
control.
The Mesa arson comes after a string of incidents in the Salt Lake Valley,
including the vandalism of a Sandy, Utah meetinghouse that police there
called the worst ever in their town. Recent news reports say that local
leaders believe vandalism is increasing. In addition to the Sandy vandalism,
eight LDS chapels in Holladay and Murray were vandalized in April and a West
Valley City LDS chapel was set on fir Mormon News' reports also show that
the Logan 4th ward was vandalized in June while an LDS Chapel in Lexington,
Ohio was heavily damaged in an arson fire in July.
Source:
Arson suspected in Mormon church fire in Mesa
(Phoenix) AZ Republic (AP) 10Sep01 D1
Associated Press
See also:
Vandals Deface LDS Chapel in Little Rock
Vandals Hit Another LDS Chapel
Mormon News' Coverage of Vandalism Against Mormon Property
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