JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A woman was arrested for arson among other charges Tuesday morning, as she's accused of starting a fire at a church on Jacksonville's Northside Monday night.
Crystal Spicer, 45, is charged with two counts of arson and one count of burglary, according to her arrest report.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department says "arson is suspected," however, the cause of the fire is being investigated by the State Fire Marshal's Office.
JFRD Captain Eric Prosswimmer says the fire occurred at 10:15 p.m. at Believer's Joy Worship Center, which is located at 13066 Yellow Bluff Rd. and has been around for 45 years. He adds that there were nearly two dozen fire trucks that responded to the church and no one was injured.
Spicer's arrest report states that she was "quickly taken into custody while the church on the property was engulfed in approximately 30 foot flames," as JFRD then "began to extinguish the raging fire."
Witnesses told police they heard popping/booming noises, the arrest report also mentions.
Upon Spicer's arrest, police say it did not look as if she was coherent and that it appeared she had items from inside the church including pamphlets, religious DVDs and Christian music in her possession.
Pastor Lyle Shiferdek Jr. told First Coast News the church still plans to have service this weekend and that their newly built sanctuary was not damaged in the fire.
"We'll have our services this Sunday," Shiferdek said. "The devil ain't gonna stop us."
One witness, as well as Shiferdek, said Spicer attended the church on several occasions. She caused $402,000 worth of damage by allegedly starting the fire, her arrest report states.
