A fire that gutted a Saskatoon church has been ruled as arson by investigators.

According to a press release, Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services and the Saskatoon Police Service ruled the cause of the fire at Faith Baptist Church as arson.

The fire, which happened early Monday morning, destroyed the interior of the church, but failed to reach the exterior of the building located at 1601 Munroe Ave. S.

Early estimates of damage were of $200,000, but are now presently pegged at $500,000

There were no injuries reported.