Officials determine church fire was arson

Saskatoon firefighters at the scene of a fire at Faith Baptist Church at Munroe Avenue and Third Street East on Monday.

Investigators have determined that a fire inside an east-side church was deliberately set.

The Faith Baptist Church on Monroe Avenue sustained roughly $500,000 in  damage after flames broke out early Monday morning.

Investigators spent the last couple of days on scene searching the building. Fire officials say they found evidence of arson in the basement of the building.

Now police are turning to Crime Stoppers, hoping to find the person or people responsible for setting the fire.  So far they have no leads.

The church's pastor says he has no idea who could have committed this crime.

Dan Paulson, the assistant fire chief, says when crews arrived at the burning building, all the doors were locked. “There were combustible liquids that were identified as an accelerant used in this fire. Ultimately, it is a criminal offense and it does put people's lives, both civilian and responders, at risk."