Arson Suspected At Church Site

An arsonist may have set a fire that damaged a north Spokane church’s outreach center Wednesday, investigators said.

Firefighters went to the Seventh-day Adventists’ community service building at 25 E. North Foothills Drive about 5:30 p.m. after witnesses had reported seeing flames outside.

Someone had put cardboard boxes against the side of the building and ignited them, Battalion Chief Joe Stapleton said. Flames climbed an exterior wall and damaged the building’s wiring and framing, he said.

There also was smoke damage throughout.

Members of the church provide food, clothing and supplies to needy families from the building at the corner of Division Street and Foothills Drive.

No one was inside at the time of the fire, and there were no injuries.

, DataTimes