By Stevie Mathieu
The Columbian
CLARK COUNTY, Wash. — Another building in Clark County, this time a former church, was the target of a suspected arson early this morning. It’s the third suspected arson targeting a local church building in the past week.
Firefighters from Clark County Fire District 3 were dispatched at about 2 a.m. to Daybreak Youth Services at 11910 N.E. 154th St. in Brush Prairie. The building originally was home to the Bethesda Slavic Church but is being converted into an addiction treatment center.
Firefighters arrived to find that there had been a fire in one of the building’s rooms, according to a press release from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. The fire did an estimated $25,000 in damage.
The Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating it and two recent church fires as connected arsons, according to the sheriff’s office.
At about 3 a.m. Wednesday, a fire struck the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Hazel Dell. At about the same time the following morning, a fire was reported at Liberty Bible Church of the Nazarene in the Salmon Creek area.
In the press release, Clark County Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway urged vigilance from the community and places of worship.
“Be alert and report anything suspicious or unusual,” he said in a statement. “It may be a small detail that makes the difference in solving these cases. Also, make sure access points are secured, exterior areas are illuminated, and fire systems are in working order.”
Anyone with information about the fires is asked to call 911; the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office at 360-397-2186, ext. 3321; or the sheriff’s office at 360-397-6079. A reward of up to $10,000 may be available for information leading to an arrest.
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(c)2016 The Columbian (Vancouver, Wash.)