Utah Woman Set Fire to Church a Day Before Wedding, Authorities Say

A wedding in Kaysville, Utah, took a dramatic and destructive turn when the bride-to-be allegedly set fire to the church just one day before the ceremony. Lenita Moreno, 25, faces charges of aggravated arson in connection with the July 10 blaze, which authorities are investigating as a possible extreme case of pre-wedding jitters.

The fire reportedly started in the Relief Society room of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building while Moreno, her fiancé, and family members were present setting up for the wedding. According to court documents, the fire alarm sounded as the group was preparing to leave. A bystander managed to extinguish the flames using water from wedding decorations, while another used a fire extinguisher.

Investigators allege that the fire was deliberately started under a chair using unusual items, including what appeared to be a tampon. The groom reportedly told detectives that he and Moreno were in the room where the fire began. Further investigation revealed that Moreno had allegedly stolen two cigarette lighters from an Ace Hardware store earlier that day, though she refused to disclose what she had taken.

Court documents state that Moreno started the fire while five other people were still inside the building. She had also reportedly lied about obtaining a marriage license for the wedding that was scheduled for the next day. In addition to aggravated arson, Moreno was booked for retail theft and providing false information to a peace officer. She was being held without bail.

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It is believed that Lenita (Tessa) started a fire within a church building while five others were still inside.