Authorities are offering $5,000 to anyone who comes forward with information about a July fire that is now being investigated as arson at the Latter-day Saint temple under construction in Orem, officials announced Tuesday.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with Orem police are offering the reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people who started the temple fire July 25.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) An artist's rendering shows the exterior of the planned Orem Temple, which is under construction.
Orem firefighters responded that day to the fire at the Orem Temple, located at 1471 S. Geneva Road, at about 11:10 p.m. Foam was used to suffocate flames in an attempt to limit water damage to the construction site, and the fire was quickly extinguished.
The blaze resulted in “significant smoke damage throughout the entire temple,” according to ATF, which caused thousands of dollars in damage. No one was injured.
Anyone with information about the apparent arson may contact the ATF at 888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477), or the Orem Police Department at 801-229-7070.
Information also may be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov or through ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips. Tips may also be submitted anonymously using the ReportIt app, available from both Google Play and the Apple App store, or by visiting www.reportit.com.
The three-story, 70,000-square-foot temple was first announced in 2019, and a groundbreaking took place in September 2020. It is scheduled to be completed sometime in 2023. It is one of 28 existing or planned Latter-day Saint temples in Utah.
