3rd suspected arson burns former church in Clark County



VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) _ Clark County authorities say a fire that burned a former church building over the weekend is the third church arson in one week.

The Clark County Sheriff's Office says the three early morning blazes are being investigated as if they are connected.

A fire Sunday caused about $25,000 in damages to a former church building that is being converted into a youth treatment center. Bethesda Slavic Church previously occupied the building in Brush Prairie, but it has been vacant for a while.

The first two church blazes happened within 24 hours of each other. The First Congregational United Church of Christ burned early Wednesday, following by a fire at the Liberty Bible Church of the Nazarene several miles away.

The Clark County Fire Marshal's Office, Clark County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are investigating.