LDS Church sues over wildfire at Nevada ranch

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Las Vegas • The business arm of the Mormon church is suing a contractor over a wildfire that damaged a church recreational property northeast of Las Vegas in July 2010.

The Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints alleges negligence in the lawsuit filed March 1 in Clark County District Court. The Las Vegas Sun reports the suit seeks unspecified damages from Las Vegas-based Soil-Tech Inc.

Investigators determined the Moapa fire was sparked July 1 while workers hired by the Southern Nevada Water Authority were trimming palm trees and clearing brush.

Officials say 10 homes and five other buildings were destroyed as flames spread over almost a square mile of land including the Mormon church's 75-acre Warm Springs Ranch.