The suspect in the recent fire at an LGBT youth center was taken into custody at his apartment, fire officials said Friday.

Darren William Beach Jr., 26, was apprehended without incident and taken to the Maricopa County Fourth Avenue Jail, according to fire Capt. Reda Bigler. He was  booked on one count of arson of an occupied structure.

Phoenix fire arson investigators and Phoenix police conducted a joint investigation, Bigler said.

The one.n.ten youth center caught fire about 11 a.m. July 12, injuring no one but badly damaging supplies, electronics and the building itself. 

SEE ALSO: Miss Universe visits youths who attended LGBT center destroyed in fire

The Phoenix Fire Department announced Wednesday the fire was being investigated as arson after video evidence was recovered showing a man pouring liquid on the floor and stepping outside just before a room goes up in flames.

One.n.ten Executive Director Linda Elliott said Beach was a participant in one.n.ten programs but aged out of eligibility when he turned 25.

One.n.ten serves lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth ages 14 to 24. 

“one•n•ten is relieved that the suspect in the fire at its Youth Center has been apprehended without incident … We are hopeful that he will now be able to get the help he needs,” said a statement from one.n.ten Executive Director Linda Elliott released Friday afternoon.

“We thank the Phoenix Fire Department and Police Departments for their support. And we cannot begin to thank the community for its outpouring of support for the work we do to support LGBTQ youth.

From companies and individuals who have donated items we lost in the fire as we rebuild our Youth Center and support an upcoming camp for youth, to the generosity of many both here in Arizona and across the country who have invested in our programs and services – thank you.”

 

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