Palin's church target of fire

WASILLA — Local, state and federal officials continue to investigate a Friday evening fire that caused more than $1 million damage to Wasilla Bible Church. The church is the home place of worship for Gov. Sarah Palin and was thrust into the national spotlight after Palin was tapped by U.S. Sen. John McCain to be his Republican running mate on the presidential ticket.

The fire, which was called in about 9:40 p.m., is “definitely suspicious,” said James Steele, chief of the Central Mat-Su Fire Department. A task force comprised of local fire officials, the Wasilla Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and the state Fire Marshal’s Office.

The blaze was apparently intentionally set outside the church while at least five people were inside participating in a craft-making project, Steele said, adding that, “All were able to get out safely.”

While Wasilla Bible Church is where Palin and her family worships, the governor’s father, Chuck Heath, doesn’t believe Friday’s fire was politically motivated.

“My gut feeling is, I would be very surprised if there were any connection (to Palin’s candidacy),” he said, adding he is curious about what would motivate someone to set fire to a church. “I’m interested in that, too, but I doubt it was connected.”

Heath said he talked with Governor Palin about the fire and said “she’s very upset about it, too. You just wonder why? Why was it set, the motive, the intent? We all want to know that.”

A statement issued by Palin spokesman Bill McAllister says the governor regrets if the campaign brought “undeserved negative attention” to Wasilla Bible Church.

Palin’s mother, Sally Heath, said she was shocked to learn her church had been the target of suspected arson.

“Oh my gosh, oh what a shame,” she said. “I just can’t imagine someone’s thinking in starting that fire, and if they know for sure it was arson, oh my gosh, what a tragedy for the church, for the people.”

The church has an estimated value of about $4 million to $5 million, Steele said. Although he wouldn’t comment on specifics about whether any accelerants were found, investigators will continue to probe the source of the blaze.

“Damage inside (the building) is actually to the first and second floors,” Steele said. “I can’t get into some of the specifics, but at least the floor in one area dropped at least two feet, so there was extensive damage to the substructure.”

Samples taken from the building are being sent to a crime lab and investigators will interview those who were inside the church when the fire started, Steele said. Those inside escaped after being alerted by an alarm.

Firefighters from all Central Mat-Su Fire Department stations responded in sub-zero weather to what Steele called the largest Mat-Su Valley fire since the June 2007 fire that destroyed Susitna Valley Jr./Sr. High School. Also responding were crews from Meadow Lakes, Big Lake and Houston, with Willow firefighters standing by, Steele said.

Sunday services for Wasilla Bible Church were moved to Wasilla Middle School.