Two juveniles charged with arson at Dundalk church

Structure sustained $400,000 in damages

Baltimore County police have charged two juveniles with second-degree arson in connection with a multi-alarm fire that caused $400,000 in damages to a Dundalk church last week.

The boys, aged 12 and 13 years and Dundalk residents, also face second-degree burglary, destruction of property and reckless endangerment charges, police said. The investigation remains open and could result in charges against additional suspects, police said. Investigators said they found no evidence of a hate crime.

Investigators determined the boys entered an unlocked shed at the rear of the church on the evening of April 10 and found gasoline and a lighter. One boy poured the gasoline and the other used the lighter to set the fire. Fed by high winds and dry conditions, the fire, which went to three alarms, spread quickly and engulfed Pleasant Zion Baptist Church in the 400 block of North Point Blvd.

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