Searching for answers

WASILLA — An accelerant was poured around the exterior of the Wasilla Bible Church before it burned late Friday, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reports.

The federal agency made the determination from evidence gathered at the scene in Wasilla, the Mat-Su Borough reports. It’s unclear what type of accelerant was found, and further lab testing will be needed to determine the type. The accelerant was found at multiple places outside the building, including the entrances and exits.

As of Monday, local authorities did not have a suspect or motive for the suspected arson, which caused an estimated $1 million damage to the home church of Gov. Sarah Palin, Wasilla Deputy Police Chief Greg Wood said. They do, however, have witnesses and other people to interview.

“We are actively working the investigation,” Wood said. “We have some leads that we’re following up on.”

Although the building was badly damaged, Wasilla Bible Church held services Sunday at Wasilla Middle School. If the motive of starting the fire was to discourage the church’s congregation, that goal was unsuccessful, said Shriley O’Donnell, a 28-year member of the church who coordinates its prayer hotline. O’Donnell estimated the service drew about 1,000 worshipers.

“They could never do that,” she said, adding the message of Sunday’s service was one of faith, hope, charity and forgiveness. “Some people had tears in their eyes, but we were rejoicing.”

When she first learned of the Friday fire, O’Donnell said she was “kind-of devastated, but not really, because I know the Lord was in control. He’s the top man on our roster.”

Wood said he hasn’t received any calls with tips or information that might lead to a suspect or suspects. It’s also unclear at this time what the investigation will uncover, he said.

“It’s very early stages to make any predictions,” Wood said.

Appearing on the Fox News program “On the Record” with host Greta Van Susteren Monday evening, Palin said she apologized to church officials if the fire was in any linked to her candidacy for vice president.

She said there are some “crazy, mean-spirited people out there. ... There’s so much evil.” Palin also urged looking for opportunities where “maybe we can do some good.”

Firefighters responded to the fire around 9:40 p.m. Friday as flames began spreading through the church while a small group of people were inside working on craft projects. No one was injured in the blaze, and a fire alarm reportedly alerted them to get out of the church.

It took firefighters from all Central Mat-Su Fire Department stations to control the blaze. Crews from Meadow Lakes, Big Lake and Houston helped, with firefighters from Willow on stand by.

They worked in temperatures as low as -20 degrees containing what Central Mat-Su Fire Chief James Steele said was the largest fire in the Mat-Su Valley since the Su Valley Jr./Sr. High School burned in June 2007.

On Saturday, fire officials were already labeling the blaze suspicious, and Steele said it appeared the fire was intentionally set outside the church.

News reports of the fire went nationwide because the church gained national attention during Palin’s bid for the vice presidency.

The church was criticized early in Palin’s campaign after reports said it promoted a Focus on the Family “Love Won Out Conference” in Anchorage. The conference said it would help people “dissatisfied with living homosexually understand that same-sex attractions can be overcome.”

Anyone with information about the fire that might be helpful to investigators can call Mat-Su Crime Stoppers at 745-3333 or the Wasilla Police Department at 352-5401.

In the mean time, Wasilla Bible Church will continue its regular Sunday worship schedule at Wasilla Middle School, O’Donnell said, adding that she’s confident the church will rebound stronger than ever.

“Satan will do anything he can to stop us,” she siad, “but he can’t do it.”

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.