Arson suspect arrested after break-in, basement fire at church near OSU campus
Arson suspect arrested after break-in, basement fire at church near OSU campus
A man has been arrested after a fire was intentionally set in the basement of a church near Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
Fire response and evacuations
Columbus Division of Fire responded to a report of a structure fire and crews found a chair with fire damage that extended into the carpet and wall of the church’s basement.
The fire was self-contained and had been extinguished before firefighters arrived.
Investigators noticed that the church’s back door appeared to have been broken into and determined that the fire was intentionally set.
Video surveillance footage corroborated that theory and showed an individual breaking into the west side staircase.
Cause of fire under investigation
Rose was taken to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and treated for self-inflicted wounds, according to court documents.
Once discharged, Rose was taken into custody by Columbus police and then to the CFD Fire Investigation Unit’s office for an interview.
The suspect, identified as 47-year-old Lawrence Rose, allegedly broke into St. Stephens Episcopal Church located at 30 West Woodruff Avenue around 7 a.m.
