Authorities: Suspect in Bethlehem church fires is former member

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (FOX 29) - A former member of a Bethlehem church is accused of setting two fires there in recent days.

Detectives say 43-year-old Wilmer Ortiz Torres was arraigned Friday night on arson, criminal trespass and burglary charges. He had been arrested earlier in the day after authorities reviewed surveillance video from a public housing complex across the street from the Iglesia Pentecostal de Bethlehem church.

The first fire ignited around midnight on Tuesday and sent smoke billowing from the church. By the time firefighters arrived on scene, the flames had already burned themselves out.

Bethlehem Fire Marshal Craig Baer later determined the cause of the fire to be arson.

Two days later, another fire erupted at the church in the early morning hours. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames and contain the fire to the roof. According to Baer, the fire was intentionally set by using an accelerant.

Authorities say Torres had "some issue" with the church but did not provide further details. It wasn't known Saturday if he's retained an attorney.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.