A fire inside a Hazel Dell church that destroyed a pulpit is being investigated as an arson, according to the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Four men arrived in the area of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2223 N.W. 99th St., early Friday for a regular game of basketball when they smelled smoke, Clark County Fire District 6 spokesman Dave Schmitke said.
They went into the sanctuary area to investigate and saw the pulpit ablaze, calling 911 just before 7 a.m., Schmitke said. Crews from Fire District 6, which has a station nearby, responded quickly and doused the flames, Schmitke said.
There was no major structural damage, but the pulpit will have to be replaced, Schmitke said.
Clark County Deputy Fire Marshal Curtis Eavenson said that the fire is being investigated as an arson. He wouldn’t give more details except to say the investigation is ongoing.
