Fire officials say blaze that destroyed landmark Santa Ana church was arson

After days of combing through the remains of a vacant former church that burned, fire officials announced Wednesday that it was the result of arson.

Orange County Fire Authority officials would not give details about what led to that conclusion and said only that investigators had “indications” it was arson.

Early on May 7, firefighters were called to fire at the corner of East Santa Ana Boulevard and North Bush Street. There they found the landmark building with flames and smoke shooting from the roof.

It took about 100 firefighters two hours to get the fire under control, the Orange County Fire Authority said. They later announced the building, assessed at a value of $2.2 million, was a total loss.

In recent history, the 109-year-old building stood boarded up.

“Since the abandoned building, a former United Presbyterian church, was known to be frequented by transients it was determined that a thorough search for any possible victims, was needed,” the fire authority said in a statement.

The agency deployed its search and rescue task force to remove large parts of the structure and sections of the floor, said OCFA Capt. Thanh Nguyen. Canines who can detect human remains were also brought in, along with the police and coroner investigators, to look for victims. None were found.

Nguyen said the extent of the damage made it difficult to know if there was anyone occupying the building at the time of the blaze, but investigators continue to search for answers and any suspects.

The former church building was constructed in 1911 and was listed on city, state and federal registers of historic properties. It was also the former home to the Orange County Pacific Symphony and the Templo Calvario church.