Church Arsons Task Force Formed

Three arsons at church buildings in less than a week has led to the creation of a special task force to investigate the crimes.

"The Church Arsonist Task Force is in process of examining evidence collected at the church fires, developing investigative leads and interviewing potential witnesses to identify and apprehend the suspect(s)," the Clark County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

"Task force investigators have determined that these three church arson fires were intentionally set, likely by the same individual(s)."

The most recent fire was around 2 a.m. Sunday at the former home of the Bethesda Slavic Church at 11910 Northeast 154th.

On Thursday morning, there was a fire at the Liberty Bible Church of the Nazarene in the Pleasant Valley area.

The day before there was a fire at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Hazel Dell.

"I would urge all those responsible for church buildings to review your security procedures and to specifically make sure that any video surveillance equipment is in good working order," Clark County Sheriff Chuck Atkins said last week. 

"I would also ask that our citizens who live near a house of worship be extra vigilant and report suspicious people or vehicles to 911."

The task force has representatives from: Clark County Fire Marshal's Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Clark County Sheriff's Office; Vancouver Police Department; and the Vancouver Fire Department.

 Investigators may be contacted through the Clark County Fire Marshal's Office (360) 397-2186 X 3324, or the Clark County Sheriff's Office at (360) 397-6079. 

A reward of up to $20,000 is now offered for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the church arsons.  Anyone with information is asked to call the Clark County Sheriff's Office Tip Line at 877CRIME11 (877) 274-6311 or e-mail CCSOCU@gmail.com