Arson Committed at Santa Sophia Catholic Church

A fire was intentionally set at Santa Sophia Catholic Church Tuesday evening, according to Detective Anthony Portillo with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Authorities received a call about a fire at around 8 p.m.

The fire was started in the church sanctuary, Father Jacob Bertrand told U-T San Diego.

Five Cal Fire/San Miguel Fire District engines responded to knock down the fire in 10 minutes.

Events were being held in buildings separate from the sanctuary at the time of the fire, Bertrand said. No injuries were reported.

After the fire was extinguished, sheriff's deputies and Cal Fire/San Miguel Fire District investigators found the way the fire was started was suspicious. The sheriff's Bomb & Arson Unit and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents were called to the scene and concluded that the fire was intentionally started.

"There is no estimated damage at this time and the investigation in ongoing," Portillo said in a statement.

Anyone with information about this case can call the Sheriff's Department non-emergency line at 858-565-5200. Anonymous tips can be shared with Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.