Fire At Long Island Church Caused By Arsonist: Police

RIVERHEAD, NY — A fire that broke out in a Riverhead church Saturday was set by an arsonist, police said.

According to Riverhead Town Police, on Saturday at 2:22 a.m., police received a 911 call about a fire at the Luz En Tu Senda church, located on Roanoke Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers located a working fire at the rear exterior of the building; the fire had reached a point of breaching an upper window and was entering the interior of the church, police said.

The Riverhead Fire Department responded to the scene and quickly extinguished the flames, but not before some interior damage occurred, police said. At the time of the fire the building was unoccupied and no injuries were reported, police said.

The Riverhead fire marshal's office responded to the scene. The Riverhead Police Department's detective division was also contacted and responded to investigate. Suffolk County Arson also was on the scene to assist, police said. Investigators determined that the fire was started by a man who was captured on surveillance cameras, police said.

Lee A. Ragland, 33, of Riverhead, was arrested at Riverhead police headquarters and charged with one count of third degree arson, a felony, police said. He was held for morning arraignment in Riverhead Justice Court, police said.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Riverhead Police Department's detective division at 631 727-4500 ext. 312. All calls will remain confidential.