LOVELAND, Colo. — A man is accused of breaking into a Loveland church and setting several small fires inside.
The Loveland Police Department said they responded to a call at 1:40 p.m. Tuesday of a burglary-in-progress at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 3800 Mountain Lion Drive. A passerby called police after seeing someone climbing through the window.
Officers went inside, and shortly after saw smoke in the hallway, which police traced to a barricaded kitchen door. Officers broke down the door and found a man inside and several small fires. Policy said they quickly extinguished the fires.
The man was evaluated by officers and treated on scene for pain by Thompson Valley Emergency Medical Services.
Loveland Fire Rescue Authority responded to the church to clear the smoke and secure the building.
Four people were inside at the time, but were unaware of the break-in until police arrived and evacuated them.
The suspect is facing charges of first-degree arson of a business, endangering life; second-degree burglary, forced entry; first-degree criminal trespass to a dwelling; and unlawful possession of methamphetamine.