The Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office has released video evidence in the investigation of an alleged arson of the old Cherry Grove Church in an attempt to identify a person and vehicle of interest.
On Aug. 13, the office released two videos — one full-sized video and one zoomed in on the vehicle — in an attempt to complete the investigation.
In the video taken approximately at 2 a.m. on July 5, a vehicle is seen driving up to the church, located in the 24200 block of Northeast 92nd Avenue in Battle Ground. The back seats of the vehicle light up before an occupant appears to throw a sparking object from the right side of the vehicle into the direction of the residence. The vehicle then drives off, and light grows from the residence as the apparent fire catches before the video ends.
“This thoughtless act cost our community a piece of our local history which can’t be replaced,” Clark County Assistant Fire Marshal Curtis Eavenson said in a news release. “The property loss is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is fortunate that no injuries occurred to occupants or firefighters.”
The videos are available online at youtu.be/8kQQc4qR2A0 and youtu.be/mLHs-WroeSs.
The office asks anyone who recognizes the vehicle or person depicted in the video or anyone with information regarding the ongoing fire investigation to contact the county’s fire marshal’s office at 564-397-3320.
A $10,000 reward fund is available for anyone who is able to provide information that leads to a conviction in this case.
