129-year-old church in small Missouri city ravaged by fire: arson suspected

A 129-year-old church in the small community of Leeton in southeast Johnson County, western Missouri, was heavily damaged Monday night in a fire that investigators say was intentionally set, according to the fire department.

Fire crews from the Johnson County Fire Protection District and the Warrensburg Fire Department responded shortly after 9:15 p.m. to the Leeton United Methodist Church at 106 N. Wall Street in Leeton.

Arriving firefighters reported heavy smoke and flames coming from inside the church, said Capt. Joe Jennings, a spokesman for the Johnson County Fire Protection District.

Firefighters launched an aggressive interior and exterior attack, battling the blaze for nearly three hours before bringing it under control, Jennings said.

Read more: Kansas City Star