By Stacia Kalinoski

JUNCTION CITY, Ore. -- Junction City Police have arrested a 13-year-old girl after they say she confessed to starting a church fire.

Junction City Police arrested the girl and brought her to the Lane County Juvenile Justice Center just after 6 p.m. Wednesday night.

Police say the girl's school staff and students shared information with police that made them suspicious.

Officer Mike Bonner said when they questioned the girl, she confessed.

"That she had been playing with the lighter and the garbage can. And that caught on fire, she wasn't able to get it out. She thought she put it out, then left."

Bonner says that's when the flames quickly spread to the church. Damage is estimated at $50,000.

The girl is charged with Arson II, Reckless Burning and Criminal Mischief 1.

The fire started just after 8 p.m. Tuesday night outside the Tri-County Worship Center.

A 16-year-old boy was the first to spot the flames, and he did what he could to help before emergency crews got there.

"I was inside and we heard people yelling that there was a fire out back. So I came out here and grabbed my hose and started spraying, said Tyler Schaff.

Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) investigators helped with the case. They're called to church fires, because of the possibility of a hate crime.