The RCMP in Alberta says they suspect arson is the cause of two fires that destroyed two churches in a community northwest of Edmonton.
Barrhead RCMP responded to the first fire at The Glenreagh Church on Range Road 40 at 7:52 p.m. Dec. 7, according to an RCMP news release. At 9 p.m., they were called to a second fire at The United Church on Range Road 54.
“RCMP and the Barrhead Fire Services continue to investigate the cause of the fires and both are being treated as arson,” the release said.
The fires were put out quickly and there were no injuries reported, RCMP said. However, both churches were “extremely damaged.”
An initial investigation by the fire examiner led officials to believe the fires were intentional, the release said.
An older model two-tonne truck was seen at the scene of The Glenreagh Church and is believed to be connected to the fires, according to the RCMP.
Related Stories
No suspects have been identified, police said.
Barrhead is about 120 kilometers northwest of Edmonton.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact Barrhead RCMP at 780-674-4848, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
This is the latest in a string of church burnings since 2021.
The first…
Read the full article here