MOORE — As an instructor with Operation Boot Camp, David L. Hanigar has come to expect a certain level of pre-dawn excitement, but his normal routine doesn’t include helping to catch a suspected church arsonist.

"You never know what’s going to happen that early in the morning,” the Shawnee fitness guru said. "But if we can help people to lose more weight and keep churches from burning, then we’re happy to oblige.”

Richard Arnold Sr., 29, of Miami, Fla., was arrested on a complaint of public intoxication Tuesday morning, but police Master Officer Jeremy Lewis said Arnold is also a suspect in the suspicious fire that destroyed Hope Adventist Fellowship Church, 1426 NE 12.

It was the first week of the Moore boot camp-style fitness program. Hanigar decided to get an early start before class and squeeze in a three-mile run.

As he was running back to his car, he saw smoke coming from the church and a man sprinting from the parking lot.

It didn’t take Hanigar long to notice the man was not dressed like a jogger, and he said he saw a wand-like device that resembled a barbecue grill lighter.

"It all happened pretty fast, but I put two and two together and came up with the assumption that he was the arsonist,” the boot camp instructor said.

Hanigar called 911, and the man was arrested.

As a fitness instructor, Hanigar said, he was angry. But as a seminary student, it broke his heart.

"Of all the things people could set on fire, churches do so much good,” he said. "I just can’t understand why someone would do that to a church.”

Deputy Fire Chief Gary Bird said investigators have not determined a cause or origin of the fire.

When officers arrived, they found the front window broken. Police are waiting for fire officials to finish their investigation before they determine if they will arrest Arnold on arson complaints.

‘A lot of history’

Hope Adventist Fellowship pastor Jason Watts said the loss of the sanctuary was tragic, but the congregation will continue to move forward and trust in their Lord and Savior.

"I was married in this building and in this church, and there’s a lot of history here,” he said. "But when it all comes down to it, this is all just stuff.”

Watts said the fellowship hall was not damaged. Members will probably meet there until they can figure out their next move.

"We’ll pray about it and see where God leads us,” Watts said. "But I know we’ll stay here and rebuild.”