An Iowa insurance company is offering up to $15,000 in reward money for any information that leads to a conviction in connection to the arson at Liberty Bible Church of the Nazarene, one of the company’s policyholders.
The church was the second of three church buildings damaged in a string of fires in late May.
The first fire was reported in the early morning of May 25 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Hazel Dell.
Investigators estimated the fire did nearly $2 million in damage to the structure and its contents.
Early the next morning, firefighters responded to a call at Liberty Bible Church of the Nazarene in Pleasant Valley, near Salmon Creek. The building’s sprinkler system put out the flames, but the church suffered some water damage.
The third fire was, again, in the early morning hours of May 29 at the site of the former Bethesda Slavic Church in Brush Prairie. The building is being converted into an addiction treatment center for youth. Minor damage was reported.
The county fire marshal’s office, Vancouver Fire Department, Vancouver Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Office and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives formed a special task force to investigate the fires. The county said an award of up to $20,000 was available for useful information.
“Church fires, caused in this manner, are the most difficult for a congregation to work through, due to the nature of the crime,” said Dave Sours, vice president of claims operations at GuideOne Insurance — which is offering the reward in the Liberty Bible Church of the Nazarene investigation — in a news release from the company.
“That is why our biggest concern at this time is helping the congregation with the healing process by expediting the processing of their claim as quickly and fairly as possible. We recognize the importance of helping the church and congregation get back on their feet.”
The county has asked anyone with information about the fires to call 911; the county fire marshal’s office at 360-397-2186, ext. 3321; or the sheriff’s office at 360-397-6079.
Tipsters also can contact the sheriff’s office tip line at 877-CRIME11 (877-274-6311) or email tips to CCSOMCU@gmail.com.
