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Public Safety

Fire Burns Jehovah's Witnesses Church In University Heights

A fire broke out at a church in University Heights today for the second time in 10 days, and arson was suspected, authorities said.

The noninjury fire at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in the 2000 block of Adams Avenue was reported at midnight, according to a San Diego fire- rescue dispatcher. It took firefighters about 15 minutes to knock down the blaze.

A fire was intentionally set at the same structure around 11:55 p.m. Dec. 20 by one or more burglars attempting to destroy evidence of a break-in, SD fire-rescue spokesman Maurice Luque said last week.

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Damage from last week's fire was estimated at $50,000 to the building and $25,000 to its contents. A damage estimate from this morning's fire was pending.

Arson investigators were assigned to the case, the dispatcher said.

According to news reports, ''666'' was spray-painted on the walls of the structure.

KPBS has created a public safety coverage policy to guide decisions on what stories we prioritize, as well as whose narratives we need to include to tell complete stories that best serve our audiences. This policy was shaped through months of training with the Poynter Institute and feedback from the community. You can read the full policy here.