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Samantha Hayes ReportingThe estimated cost of damage to an LDS church house has skyrocketed to one million dollars, according to fire investigators who say two teenagers set the blaze on purpose. However, they may not be the only ones held responsible.
The teens may end up doing time, but prosecutors may come after their parents to pay for the crime. The 18-year old is in jail charged with arson. Charges will probably come for the 16-year old girl next week. The payment due may be sent to both of their parents, though.
If they thought they would get away with it, these two teenagers were wrong. Not only did a neighbor catch them setting fire to the building, now there are serious charges and even more serious implications for their families.
Dennis McKone, Assistant Fire Chief, Salt Lake City: "Yes they could be charged and the parents could be liable for the cost of the fire."
One million dollars is the estimated damage; it's a huge price to pay and one even affected church members have mixed feelings about.
Jeremy Lundevall, Neighbor: "In my opinion, some sort of community service directed back toward this community where they can understand how many people they have affected."
Rachel Lundevall: "As parents I would feel devastated if my child did this and then to be responsible for the cost would be devastating."
The fire has also cost the community something that can't necessarily be paid back. The teenagers left offensive messages -- foul language and sacrilegious symbols on some of the walls of the church.
Fire investigators insist the arson was a random act.
Reporter: "They spray painted some pretty nasty stuff on those walls."
"They did, but it's just a random act. It's not a hate crime or a terrorist act, according to my investigators who did the interrogation."
Hundreds of people will be displaced from the church for six months while its being repaired.
