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Utah woman set fire to church a day before wedding, authorities say
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Lenita Moreno, a 25-year-old Utah woman, was arrested for aggravated arson after setting fire to the church where she was scheduled to marry the next day, causing $108,000 in damage.
- Investigators found the fire started in the Relief Society room of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building using unusual items, including a tampon, and Moreno allegedly stole lighters from a hardware store earlier that day.
- The fire alarm went off as family members were leaving the church, and bystanders helped extinguish the blaze using water from wedding decorations and a fire extinguisher.
- Moreno was also charged with retail theft and providing false information to a peace officer, as she had lied about obtaining a marriage license for the wedding.
- The incident highlights the importance of event insurance, as 15 to 20% of weddings are called off, and policies may cover cancellations due to unforeseen events like fires or illness.
