FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Ohio — A central Ohio man is in jail after police say he intentionally set fire to a Fairfield County church.
According to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, fire crews were dispatched to Blacklick Eastern Road in Baltimore on reports of a structure fire. The fire, officials say, was at the Mount Zion Church.
On November 27, 9-1-1 dispatch received a call regarding the fire. The caller, a neighboring resident, said they had seen a man fleeing from the scene following the fire.
Following an initial investigation, authorities arrested Benjamin Ruckel, 24, of Pickerington, on suspicion of arson.
Ruckel reports say, was taken into custody without incident. He is currently being held in the Fairfield County Jail pending arraignment.
Fire crews reportedly contained the blaze to a single area in the building. The case remains under investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the fire should contact detectives with the Sheriff’s Office.
