Fire damage to the First Congregational United Church of Christ is seen Thursday morning, May 26, 2016.
Amanda Cowan / The Columbian
Law enforcement continues to investigate three arsons set within the last week that damaged churches in Clark County.
Fire officials said Sunday they’re investigating the arsons as though they’re connected.
Law enforcement is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the fires.
The arsons damaged Daybreak Youth Services, which used to be Bethesda Slavic Church.
The First Congregational United Church of Christ in Hazel Dell was also damaged.
Pastor Jennifer Brownell said the community support is wonderful.
“Our church is — it's people, not the building,” she said. “We’re not afraid."
Liberty Bible Church of the Nazarene was one of the churches damaged last week.
Pastor Larry Roundsley told the congregation during a Sunday service that the church’s sprinkler system worked well.
“They extinguished the fire very, very rapidly,” he said. “However, sprinklers tend to emit quite a bit of water. And so, when I made my way into the building, the foyer had standing water in it and there was water that was weeping into the sanctuary.”
Adam Monfort, a restoration technician for Belfor Property Restoration, looks over damage to the sanctuary First Congregational United Church of Christ as crews work at the building Thursday morning, May 26, 2016.
Amanda Cowan / The Columbian
Through humor and sincerity, Roundsley thanked the community and said the fire could’ve been far worse.
"The fact that we're here and able to worship the Lord and be together and be reminded — it is really, really incredible. And so we give God thanks and praise. And we say this a lot, but everybody said …"
"Amen," the congregation responded in unison.