Man charged with aggravated arson after fire at church near Ohio State, tell me about this news in (https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/man-charged-with-aggravated-arson-after-fire-at-church-near-ohio-state/)
09-09-2026
A 47-year-old man named Lawrence Rose was arrested and charged with felony aggravated arson following a break-in and fire at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, located near The Ohio State University campus on West Woodruff Avenue in Columbus, Ohio.Key details regarding the incident:
- The Incident: Around 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026, Rose broke into the church. Security camera footage captured an individual forcing entry through a staircase area, and Rose later admitted to investigators that he smashed a window with his elbow to get inside.
- The Fire: Once inside the church basement, Rose used a torch-style lighter to set fire to his own book bag, which he then threw onto a chair before leaving the scene.
- The Damage: Columbus firefighters responded to the scene and found fire damage to the chair, which had begun spreading to the surrounding carpet and basement walls before being extinguished.
- Arrest & Charges: Rose suffered self-inflicted cuts and injuries from breaking the window and was taken to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center for treatment. Upon his medical release, Columbus police took him into custody and booked him into the Franklin County Jail on charges of felony aggravated arson.