Fire at LDS church in S.W. Calgary set intentionally: police

Police say a fire at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in southwest Calgary early on Thursday morning was intentionally set.

Emergency crews responded to the church located at 10923 24 St. S.W. just before 4 a.m. for reports of a fire.

When fire crews arrived on the scene, they did not see any signs of fire but noticed a broken window.

After a key holder for the building arrived, they searched inside and found signs of a small fire that damaged a carpet and created a slight haze.

Fire crews then made sure the blaze was extinguished.

The fire department and the arson unit are investigating the incident.

The Calgary Police Service hate crimes prevention team has been notified about the incident and will work alongside investigators.

Gustav Mesén, a member of the church, said the incident was unnerving since the fire took place in a room where children often meet.

“It was very nerve-wracking to know that this type of hatred is happening toward people in my church,” Mesén said.

He added that incidents at the church seem to have become more frequent over the past year, with several instances of graffiti and other vandalism.

“We don’t really mess with anybody, we like to exercise our faith and practise our beliefs in the way that we like to do it,” he said.

“I know that a lot of people are not very amicable toward people in my faith, and I’ve experienced that all my life, but having said that, we would like to exercise that freedom of believing our faith in the way that we like to do it.

“And these things, they put a damper on that feeling.”

Around 350-400 people attend the church each week, according to Mesén.

Greg Stringham, the communications director for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Calgary region, said it’s disappointing when something like this is directed toward any religious community.

“But at this point in time, we’re co-operating with the authorities, we have no reason to understand why it was done, and they’re looking into it for us,” Stringham said.

Anyone with information about this fire is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234.