Police: Suspect in custody after St. Ann church arson, 4 other Greene County fires

A suspect was identified and arrested Monday after a rash of weekend fires in Greene County, including one at the county’s oldest Roman Catholic church, state police said.

They didn’t release the suspects name or if charges have been filed.

There were five separate fires that police believe are connected and were intentionally set.

The blazes scorched Saint Ann Church, Buddy’s Motel and multiple homes over the holiday weekend, state police said in a release.

Nobody was injured.

The church building on East High Street in Waynesburg appeared to be intact, diocesan officials said, but other areas had extensive damage.

The Rev. Tom Lewandowski told TribLive news partner WTAE that most of the damage occurred in the basement of the church. The fire caused minor damages to windows and the top portion of the building.

The church is one of four worship sites of St. Mattias parish, where Lewandowski is pastor.

Those who attended Mass at St. Ann can attend services at St. Marcellus in Jefferson, St. Hugh in Carmichaels or St. Ignatius in Bobtown, Lewandowski said. The parish Mass schedule is here.

“It was unbelievable,” Lewandowski told WTAE of the fire. “It was very devastating, but you know, (we’re) very thankful that there was no loss of life, no injuries, nothing like that. Everything inside the church that was damaged can be replaced.”

State police said they are are investigating the fires with Waynesburg municipal police, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office.