Teen Charged In Beverly Early Morning Cabot Street Church Fire

BEVERLY, MA — A teen was charged with breaking into a Beverly church and setting a fire early Monday morning in the second incident of a juvenile facing arson-related charges at a church on the North Shore this weekend.

Beverly Police Chief John LeLacheur said crews responded to the Pilgrim Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Cabot Street shortly before 4 a.m. and encountered smoke coming from the building.

• Juvenile, 12, Accused In 2 Marblehead Church Fires Over 2 Weekends

Fire crews quickly extinguished the flames and determined the fire had been intentionally set.

Police said on Monday they charged a 17-year-old boy with breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony, burning a public building or structure and destruction of a place of worship.

Beverly police said they believe the teen was the only person involved in the crime and that there is no further threat to the community.

"At this time, the investigation does not indicate any connection to any other incidents," LeLacheur said.

The arrest comes on the same day that Marblehead police said an investigation into fires on successive weekends at the Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in that town led to juvenile charges against a 12-year-old.

The teen suspect in the Beverly fire was set to appear in Salem Juvenile Court to face the charges on Monday.