Arson Eyed in MD Church Fires

July 11, 2022
Montgomery County firefighters found pews ablaze in one of the churches.

Arson investigators are probing fires in two churches in Montgomery County, MD.

On Sunday morning, firefighters responding to St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church found several pews on fire, according to Pete Piringer, spokesman for Montgomery County Fire/Rescue.

During Mass in the church's gymnasium later in the day, Father Samuel Giese told the congregation: “Last night our church was vandalized. People broke in. They overturned statues. They tore down the Stations of the Cross. They desecrated the tabernacle and tried to set the church on fire."

Piringer said multiple fires were set in North Bethesda United Methodist Church and the Catholic church.

Another nearby church was vandalized, but no fires occurred.

Piringer said the investigation is continuing.

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