Church in Reedley is burglarized, set on fire

A church in Reedley sustained severe damage after it was burglarized and set on fire early Saturday morning, Reedley Fire Chief Jerry Issak said.

Firefighters were called out to the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church at 2:20 a.m. to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the chapel, Issak said. Firefighters were able to stop the flames from spreading to the second story, but the damage was estimated at $200,000.

Isaak said items were stolen from a small custodian’s office before the fire was set in the same room, and authorities were investigating both the burglary and the arson.

A note on the church’s website tells visitors that fire restoration crews are working on the church, but services will still be held Sunday, despite the fire.

This story was originally published August 27, 2016 at 10:07 PM with the headline "Church in Reedley is burglarized, set on fire."