Orange Park police arrest arson suspect in Park Avenue church fire

Investigators arrest man found on property

ORANGE PARK, Fla. – A 27-year-old man was charged with setting fire to an Orange Park church just hours before morning services Sunday morning.

Kevin Michael Payne was arrested at the scene and booked into the Clay County jail on multiple arson charges.

Recommended Videos



The Orange Park Fire Department responded to a commercial fire alarm at Island View Baptists Church on Park Avenue around 3:40 a.m. and found heavy, black smoke inside a wing of the Sunday school building.

Fire Chief Ty Silcox said firefighters found several windows broken and furniture on fire.  The church that is valued at approximately $200,000, sustained $35,000 in damage.

According to a press released from the Orange Park Fire Department, Orange Park police found Payne "hiding in a concealed courtyard outside of the building," and was taken into custody.

The fire is under investigation by the Town Fire Marshal's office, State Fire Marshal, ATF and the Orange Park Police Department.

No one was at the church at the time of the fire, and no one was injured in the blaze. No firefighters were injured while extinguishing the fire. The church was not able to use the building that was involved in the fire.