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

A task force of county and federal agencies formed to investigate the past week's string of church arsons in Clark County think the fires were likely all set by the same person or group, according to the Clark County Fire Marshal's Office. The arsonist, or arsonists, struck First United Congregational Church of Christ May 25, Liberty Bible Church of the Nazarene in Salmon Creek a day later, and the former Bethesda Slavic Church in Brush Prairie — the site of the planned Daybreak Youth Services addiction rehabilitation center — Sunday. Additional reward money, now up to $20,000, has been made available for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of who’s responsible, the fire marshal’s office said. The Church Arsonist Task Force comprises investigators from the county fire marshal's office, the Vancouver Fire Department, Vancouver Police Department, Clark County Sheriff's Office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Clark County Fire Marshal's Office said. The member agencies again asked the community to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. They also asked for houses of worship to review any available security camera footage from the past few weeks and watch for particularly for anyone who appears to act suspiciously around the perimeter of buildings, such as 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 can also contact the Clark County Sheriff's Office tip line at 877CRIME11 (877-274-6311) or by email at CCSOCU@gmail.com.