Less than a month ago, fire investigators were stretched thin by a string of three church arsons that occurred within a five-day period.
Local and federal agencies joined forces to find out who was responsible for the fires, which officials say were all set by the same person or group. They warned other places of worship to stay extra vigilant in the wake of the crimes. But then, the fires stopped.
“It’s tough to even speculate the reason behind the sudden stop,” Clark County Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway said. “It’s certainly welcomed.”
Dunaway said the arsonist or arsonists could have left the area or could be laying low for a while, but said that he and his team are still actively working to hold them responsible.
The Church Arsonist Task Force, formed after the three fires, 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.
The first fire was reported at 3 a.m. May 25 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Hazel Dell. That fire caused the most damage, with fire investigators estimating that nearly $2 million in structure and contents were damaged in the blaze.
At about the same time the following morning, a fire was reported at Liberty Bible Church of the Nazarene in the Salmon Creek area. Sprinklers extinguished that fire, preventing much fire damage but causing fairly extensive water damage, investigators said.
Reward up to $20,000
The third fire was reported at about 2 a.m. May 29 at 11910 N.E. 154th St. in Brush Prairie. The building is the former home of the Bethesda Slavic Church but is to be converted into an addiction treatment center by Daybreak Youth Services. Minor damage was reported.
Investigators say that the fires are being investigated as related because the buildings are all prominent and near major roadways; all fires damaged current or former churches; all fires were started around 3 a.m.; and all were intentionally set.
Dunaway said that investigators want to speak with anyone who has any information about any of the fires. A reward of up to $20,000 is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.
Anyone with information about the fires is asked 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.
“We want to re-emphasize: Anyone who has any information, regardless how small they feel that detail might be, call us and let us know,” Dunaway said.
