UPDATE: The St. George East Stake Presidency released the following updated to the cause of the fire, stating law officials in the area say, “We are treating it as a crime right now.” Reports also state the fire began outside on the exterior of the building, away from any source of electricity or heat. K-9 officers also sniffed the area and found evidence the fire was likely intentional.
A towering fire engulfed and destroyed a new stake center being built across from the St. George Utah Temple.
The St. George East Stake Presidency released a statement on social media about the fire.
“We were deeply saddened to have received a call at 2:30 am informing us that our new St. George East Stake Center was on fire. The building that we were so anticipating moving into over the next few months is gone. Those that were up watching it burn were stunned and in complete shock. Our faith is only strengthened as we work through this bump in the road.”
The stake center was to replace an older building, which housed 11 wards. Construction began in 2017 and was nearing completion before the fire destroyed it.

Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.