Man charged with intentionally setting fire that destroyed historic Brooklyn church

A man is accused of setting a fire that destroyed a historic Brooklyn church in June.

Officials say 24-year-old John Jones, of Brooklyn, was arrested Wednesday and charged with intentionally setting fire to South Bushwick Reformed Church on June 19.

A federal criminal complaint lays out new evidence investigators say led to the arson arrest.

According to the timeline in the affidavit, on June 19 at 12:12 p.m., a surveillance camera on Bushwick Avenue allegedly captured Jones attempting to enter the church. When he fails to get inside, he leaves.

Then, around 12:30 p.m., a surveillance camera inside a convenience store captured him buying a lighter.

Roughly ten minutes later, according to the affidavit, Jones was seen again at the church.

Just before 1:30 p.m., a witness snapped a photo of the church engulfed in flames. Investigators say the photo shows the fire started at a low point and burned upwards.

The FDNY said nobody was inside the church at the time. One firefighter suffered minor injuries and refused medical attention.

The fire grew to three alarms, engulfing the entire building and eventually causing the steeple to collapse.

"As we are seeing this evidence being uncovered, obviously it adds a level of anger and sadness to this entire situation," Pastor James Steward said.

Steward says from the very beginning, he had a feeling the fire was suspicious.

"We have done all we can to maintain our historic building for 175 years without any previous fire incidents," he said.

South Bushwick Reformed Church was constructed in the 1850s and designated a New York City landmark in 1968. Many in the area mourned the loss of the community staple.

"There is definitely always a line for services that they provide," neighbor Veto Mayo said.

Community members and leaders say they don't understand why this historic church became a target, but they say they must rebuild.

"I am hoping all our new people that can afford to live here can donate something," Brooklyn Community Board 4 Chairperson Robert Camacho said.

Steward said they're hoping to open part of the church in the next two months and are seeking to raise more than $2 million to help rebuild the sanctuary that was destroyed.