A fire at a Greek Ordothox church in unincorportated El Cajon is being investigated as a hate crime, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department officials confirmed.
At about 4 a.m. Sunday, a fire broke out at the St. Gregory of Nyssa Greek Orthodox Church located in the 1900 block of Mary Ann Way. Neighbors in the area reported the blaze to authorities.
Firefighters from Cal Fire, San Miguel Fire District, Heartland Fire and Lakeside all worked together to tackle the blaze. Crews were able to extinguish the fire within 45 minutes, officials said.
There was no one inside the church at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.
Investigators from the Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit and a fire investigator from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives were called to investigate the cause and origin of the fire.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, the fire caused about $250,000 in damages to the church.
Investigators have identified a person of interest in connection to the fire.
Suspect Darin Williams, 38, was immediately contacted by investigators and arrested for suspicion of arson, burglary and a hate crime.
Williams was booked into San Diego Central Jail and being held on $150,000 bail. He’s scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
No further details were immediately released.
The investigation is ongoing. Check back for updates.
NBC 7 reached out to St. Gregory of Nyssa Greek Ordothox Church leaders Sunday morning but did not immediately hear back from leaders.
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Suspect Arrested for Church Fire, Hate Crime
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