Third Clark County arson in a week

less than a week.

Someone set fire to a building owned by Daybreak Youth Services early Sunday morning, according to Clark County Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway.

The building, located at 11910 NE 154^th Street in Brush Prairie, was originally occupied by the Bethesda Slavic Church but had been vacant for some time, Dunaway said.

“It’s scary. Somebody is out there that’s crazy enough to be doing that. I hope they just quit,” said Daphne Haworth who lives across the street.

She said she’s just glad the fire didn’t spread to her neighbor’s home.

“A fire could’ve caught his trees, could have burned his house with him in it and that’ s a wooden house,” began Haworth.

“That really worries me,” she continued.

Damage to the Daybreak Youth Services building was estimated at $25,000.

Sunday’s fire, along with two other church fires on Wednesday and Thursday, are being investigated as if they are connected, but investigators have not confirmed a connection.

Sergeant Rick Torres with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office said there are consistencies between the three fires.

“The hour obviously between 2-4am they started. The first ones were last Wednesday so it’s been about five days since they occurred. Obviously [they’re] churches,” said Torres.

He also said the way the fires were started were also similar to each other.

Jennifer Brownell, the Interim Pastor at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, the location of the first arson, said hearing there was a third arson was heartbreaking.

“I don’t know what the desired outcome was but whatever it is, it’s not having an effect,” said Brownell.

This Sunday her congregation held services for the first time since the fire tore through their church. She said it was both sad and cathartic. Right now she and others are staying strong.

“I’ve got a lot of people asking me ‘are you afraid,’ and I think my message to the person who’s doing this is no I’m not afraid and we are not afraid and we won’t stop the work that we’re doing,” Brownell said.

Photos: Third Clark County arson

Dunaway warned people to be vigilant, especially at county churches and other places of worship.

“Be alert and report anything suspicious or unusual. It may be a small detail that makes the difference in solving these cases. Also, make sure access points are secured, exterior areas are illuminated, and fire systems are in working order,” he said.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is investigating all three fires, along with Clark County authorities.

A reward of up to $10,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.