A Garrett man set a Bible on fire with the intent of trying to burn down an Etna Green church, according to a news release from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department. KCSD deputies responded at approximately 8:23 p.m. Sunday to Harrison Center Church, 965 S. CR 800W, Etna Green. Officers met with two individuals who had been driving past the church and noticed a small fire on the outside of the building. The fire was quickly extinguished, but a Bible was found near the siding. It was determined the Bible was set on fire to provide a burning source, the release states. Detectives were provided with information inside the partially burned Bible which led them to Danny Bruce Kirby Jr.,45, DeKalb County officers were able to find Kirby and arrest him on a probation violation warrant Thursday. While Kirby was incarcerated, he confessed to KCSD Detective Shane Bucher that he had set the Bible on fire with the intent to burn the church. Kirby’s motive in attempting to burn down the church has not been released by authorities. The Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office is pursuing Level IV felony arson charges against Kirby, Bucher said. Kirby is being held in the DeKalb County Jail, with no bond set, on the probation violation charges.
