Peoria authorities now say the Women's Health Center in north Peoria was intentionally set ablaze on Monday morning.
Peoria Fire Department Division Chief Stan Taylor said the Peoria Police Department and Office of the State Fire Marshal are now involved after Peoria Fire Department investigators determined the blaze reported around 2:40 a.m. was an arson fire.
While the flames were mostly contained to a large front room, smoke and heat damage is apparent throughout the building at 7319 N. University. Damages are now estimated at $250,000. The exact cause is still under investigation.
No one was injured in the fire. The Women's Health Center is an anti-abortion pregnancy resource center linked to the Catholic Church. It was opened next door to the Whole Women's Health abortion clinic, 7405 N. University, in 2013. That clinic closed in 2019, but the Women's Health Center remained open.
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