A fire at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in El Cajon yesterday is being investigated as arson and a hate crime, fire and police officials said last night.
Firefighters answered an alarm from the church on Granite Hills Drive about 1:30 p.m. and found smoke coming from the sanctuary area, investigators said. The fire was extinguished in less than 10 minutes, but damage estimated at more than $100,000 included some burned pews and vandalism. Firefighters also noticed a broken window.
The vandalism and the way the fire was set led investigators to suspect arson, officials said. Details of the vandalism were not released.
Today's services have been canceled.