Flare Thrown Through Church Window

Someone threw a road flare through a window at a Dana Point church Saturday morning, creating a small fire that caused minimal damage, fire officials said.

The reported vandalism at St. Edward Roman Catholic Church came two months after the church’s pastor, Father John Lenihan, was ousted after admitting several romantic relationships with women.

Although the fire was being investigated as a possible arson, it was not clear whether there was any connection to the admissions of Lenihan, officials said.

The fire burned a small patch of carpet inside the church and was out by the time firefighters arrived, said Capt. Stephen Miller, spokesman for the Orange County Fire Authority.

An investigation is continuing, Miller said.