A fire that damaged a church is Burlington over the weekend is a case of arson. Burlington Police Lieutenant Dennis Kramer says local, state and federal investigators continue to collect evidence from the Union Baptist Church.
“They’ve determined the fire was intentionally set inside the church,” Kramer said. The fire was reported just before 1 a.m. Saturday and caused an estimated $100,000 in damage, which was limited to the interior of the building. No suspects have been identified in the case.
“We’re narrowing down different avenues and looking into different possibilities,” Kramer said. The Burlington Area Crime Stoppers organization is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Kramer says the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has also offered a reward of up to $2,500. Arson has been blamed for at least four other church fires in Burlington and Keokuk in recent years. Two men were arrested and are serving prison time in connection with those cases.