Arson suspected as 2 Jehovah's Witnesses centers burn in Thurston Co.

[Guest Nicole]

THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. - Two worship centers operated by the Jehovah's Witnesses were damaged by fire Monday morning, and arson is suspected in both blazes, fire officials said.

Olympia firefighters responded to the first blaze, a Kingdom Hall in the 225 Cain Road Southeast about 8:20 a.m.

A fire was breaching an interior wall in the building, which was unoccupied.

Firefighters quickly put out the blaze and determined that it started outside the building. There was a strong smell of petroleum similar to gasoline and other items that suggested arson, the Olympia Fire Department said.

About a half-hour later, another fire was then reported at a second Kingdom Hall in Tumwater. Crews from the Tumwater Fire Department responded to that scene and found smoke and fire inside and outside the building. They were able to extinguish the flames.

The Tumwater fire is likely related to the Olympia fire, officials said.

Officials from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to both fires

In the Olympia fire, video surveillance footage shows a person pouring a liquid on the exterior of the worship hall and lighting it on fire early in the morning before dawn, said Assistant Chief Rob Bradley of the Olympia Fire Department.

He said it appears the fire smoldered some time before it began spreading through the walls and was noticed.

In the Tumwater fire, evidence indicates two possible ignition points on the north side of the building, said Tumwater Fire Chief Scott LaVielle. It appears that an accelerant was used, he said.

ATF officials are now checking on similarities between the two fires.

http://komonews.com/news/local/arson-suspected-as-2-jehovahs-witnesses-worship-centers-burn

[Guest Nicole]

Video shows suspect linked to fires at Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Halls

 

(OLYMPIA, Was.) — Olympia Police are searching for a suspect connected to fires at two Jehovah’s Witness Halls.

Olympia Fire responded to the fire at Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Olympia on Monday morning, according to a press release. The fire was extinguished and the structure was unoccupied at the time, the release said.

Video released by Olympia Police shows a suspect pouring liquid outside the building and then starting a fire.

“There was a strong smell of petroleum similar to gasoline and other items suggesting the fire had been deliberately started,” the release said.

A similar fire was reported later Monday morning at the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Tumwater, according to the release. The fire was quickly extinguished and, according to officials, “appears similar to the Olympia fire.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is assisting in the investigation.

Officials are asking anyone with information on the suspect to come forward. Both incidents are still under investigation.

 

http://columbusnewsteam.com/abc_national/video-shows-suspect-linked-to-fires-at-jehovahs-witness-kingdom-halls-abcid36048306/