Las Vegas Sun

April 26, 2024

2 youths blamed for 2017 fire that gutted North Las Vegas church

0606NLVChurchFire

Steve Marcus

A sign in front of the Zion United Methodist Church promotes the 100th anniversary of the church in North Las Vegas, June 6, 2017.

North Las Vegas Church Destroyed in Fire

Firefighters stand outside the Zion United Methodist Church after a fire early Tuesday morning in North Las Vegas, June 6, 2017. Launch slideshow »

Two youths are being blamed for starting a fire that destroyed a North Las Vegas church a year ago.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Monday the juveniles were arrested to face arson, conspiracy and burglary charges in the early June 6, 2017, blaze at Zion Methodist Church.

The names and genders of the accused were withheld due to their ages. ATF spokeswoman Alexandria Corneiro referred questions about a motive for the fire to county prosecutors.

Audrie Locke, spokeswoman for Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, said she could not comment about a juvenile case.

No one was injured, but the ATF says the fire caused $1.3 million in damage to the home of the 120-member congregation formed in 1917.

The Rev. Lawrence "Larry" Johnson says the congregation has been meeting at the neighboring Nevada Partners offices, and now plans to rebuild.