VIDEO: Three LDS church properties catch fire in St. George

ST. GEORGE — St. George police reported that three Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints properties were set on fire early Tuesday morning. One suspect is in police custody.

The three affected chapels are located at 1295 S. 3000 E., the corner of River Road and Rustic Drive, and 1762 S. River Road.

The churches are affected with varying amounts of damage. The church on 3000 East sustained “significant fire damage,” according to police. The church on 1762 S. River Rd. had a fire suppression system and sustained fire and water damage. The church on Rustic Drive sustained fire damage to some of the landscaping.

Police say they saw a man in a silver minivan driving rapidly away from the church at 1762 S, and followed him. The man drove away, and police followed him. Police pursued the man down I-15, through Hurricane, and all the way to Zion National Park where the man crashed his car and it burst into flames.

The man exited the vehicle and was arrested and taken to the hospital. His identity has not been released yet.

The St. George Police and Fire Departments along with several other state agencies are investigating the cause of the fire, which has not yet been determined.

If anyone has more information about the fires or would like to report damages at another location, contact the police investigation division at (435) 627-4338.