Multiple fires set early Tuesday in Spokane Valley

Two churches, one storage trailer, multiple trash cans and some shrubs were set on fire at eight different locations in Spokane Valley early Tuesday morning.

The fires were located between McDonald and University roads, north of Valleyway Avenue and south of Mission Avenue. All were reported between 12:30 and 3 a.m., according to the Spokane Valley Fire Department.

The first fire was reported at Spokane Baptist Church, 12817 E. Broadway and the second fire at the Valley Open Bible Church at 905 N. McDonald Road was visible from the first fire. Other fires were found in residential trash cans, shrubs and a storage trailer in a field near 11123 E. Mission Ave.

Fire crews put the fires out quickly and there were no injuries. The damage to the churches was minimal, including some minor smoke damage inside the buildings, the fire department said.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, including the Air 1 helicopter and police dogs, helped search for additional fires and for any potential suspects. No one was taken into custody.

Spokane Baptist Church has also been the site of other fires recently. Two port-a-potties outside the church were set on fire during a similar arson spree on Jan. 29. The church was previously damaged in a two-alarm fire on Dec. 3. The cause of that fire was determined to be electrical.

Anyone with information on the fires is asked to call (509) 928-1700. Residents in the area who discover burned vegetation or trash cans are also asked to call the fire department.