Arson Fire at Stanton Church Is Second Such Blaze in Month in O.C.

Worshipers at the Lighthouse Community Church of the Nazarene in Stanton held an emotional service Sunday, several hours after their church became the second in Orange County damaged by suspected arsonists within a month.

A fire set just before midnight Saturday destroyed the church’s nursery and caused about $50,000 in damage, authorities said.

“It seems like a lot of damage to us,” church treasurer John Lishman said. “With God’s help, we’ll be able to rebuild it.”

Orange County sheriff’s deputies arrived at the church after a neighbor reported hearing glass breaking at the rear of the building.

David Leonard Redford, a 21-year-old Stanton man described by authorities as a transient, was found climbing out of a church window. Inside, part of a classroom used as a nursery was in flames.

Arson investigators don’t know how the fire started, but believe the blaze was deliberately set, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Paul Hunter said.

Hunter said it took 35 firefighters about 20 minutes to put the fire out. No one was injured, he said.

St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Fullerton was consumed by a fire four weeks ago. No arrests have been made in connection with the arson, which destroyed about $1.3-million worth of property, officials said.

Fire investigators and Fullerton police said they will look into the possibility that Redford was involved in the Fullerton fire.

“At some point there might be a connection between [the Stanton fire] and the Fullerton fire,” Hunter said.

Redford was arrested on suspicion of burglary and arson. He is being held at Orange County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.