An 18-year-old suspect accused of arson at a Boardman Church says he was only trying to set a bale of straw on fire, according to police.

Police arrested Jacob Richards Tuesday afternoon after someone reported seeing him in the parking lot of near Valley Christian Church on Glenwood Avenue.

Investigators believe Richards is the person seen in a security video using a cigarette lighter to ignite straw outside the church last Friday.

Authorities say the fire spread, damaging the church entrance door and hallway.

Police posted images from that security video on the department’s Facebook page early Tuesday.

After Richards was arrested and read his rights, police say he admitted being near the church at the time of the fire and later admitted that he was only trying to set fire to the straw.

Richards was booked into the county jail Tuesday night on an arson charge.