The recent arsons targeting churches in Clark County have prompted law enforcement agencies in southwest Washington to form the Church Arsonist Task Force.
The group consists of the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office, the Clark County Sheriff’s Department, Vancouver police and fire, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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Clark County Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway said the agencies are working together to process evidence and follow leads.
“We have some things to follow up on and we’re hoping those are fruitful," he said. "We’re optimistic.”
In the last week, three churches in Clark County have been damaged by arson. Law enforcement said it’s likely the fires are connected.
The arsons damaged Daybreak Youth Services, which used to be Bethesda Slavic Church, the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Hazel Dell and Liberty Bible Church of the Nazarene.