County church arson task force says church fires likely lit by same subject

Investigators from Clark County and the federal government have joined forces to find out who is responsible for a recent string of church arsons, according to the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office.

The Church Arsonist Task Force includes investigators from 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.

Task force investigators believe that the recent string of church arsons in Clark County likely were set by the same person or group, according to the fire marshal’s office.

The arsonist or arsonists struck First United Congregational Church of Christ on May 25 in Hazel Dell; Liberty Bible Church of the Nazarene one day later in Salmon Creek; and the former Bethesda Slavic Church on Sunday in Brush Prairie. Daybreak Youth Services is working to convert the Bethesda Slavic Church building into an addiction rehabilitation center for teens.

Additional reward money, now up to $20,000, has been made available for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible, the fire marshal’s office said.

The task force asked the community to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. They also asked houses of worship to review any available security camera footage from the past few weeks and watch for anyone who appears to act suspiciously around the perimeter of buildings, including looking into windows or poking around secluded areas on church property.

Anyone with tips can contact investigators through the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office at 360-397-2186, ext. 3324, or the Clark County Sheriff’s Office at 360-397-6079.

Tipsters also can contact the Clark County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 877-CRIME11 (877-274-6311) or by email at CCSOMCU@gmail.com.