Gasoline found at site of church fire

WASILLA — The pastor of the Wasilla Bible Church says investigators told him it was gasoline splashed on his church when the building was torched last month.

The Wasilla Police Department has said in the past that the type of accelerant used to start the fire would be an important piece of their investigation, perhaps narrowing down their search. Calls seeking comment with the department’s lead investigator, Ruthan Josten, were not returned as of press time.

The fire did $1 million in damage to the church. It was set Dec. 12 and shortly thereafter declared an arson. Since then, investigators have been sifting through evidence and trying to determine exactly who set the blaze.

Pastor Larry Kroon said he expects the church will be back in its regular building by Feb. 1.

“We’ll probably have about 75 percent of the building useable by then,” he said.

Since the fire, they have been holding Sunday services at Wasilla Middle School and periodically meeting at the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex.

“We’ve been able to use our basement, our lower level, so we’ve been using that during the week,” Kroon said.

His congregation has proved itself to be flexible, he said.

“They’ve bounced back great,” Kroon said.

Immediately after the fire, support poured into the church from across the country.

“Every state in the union, churches and individuals have sent us cards and letters and stuff like that,” Kroon said.

That support, he said, has slackened off recently, but Kroon said he and his congregants are grateful to have had it.

“The flurry has passed but it was a flurry, it’s been neat,” Kroon said.

Fire officials have said the church fire was the largest since Su Valley Jr./Sr. High School burned down in June 2007.

A group of volunteers were in the building at the time, but were able to make it out safely after fire alarms sounded.

Federal investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on hand shortly after the fire. But lately the investigation has been handed over to the Wasilla Police Department.

Police are still seeking whatever information the public has to offer. Mat-Su Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to a conviction. Tipsters are asked to call Wasilla Police at 352-5400 or Crime Stoppers at 745-3333.