Suspicious Church Fires in Polk County Under Investigation

Both buildings were spray painted with anarchist slogans.

Salem-News.com

(GRANDE RONDE, Ore.) - The Polk County Sheriff's Office in investigating two fires in the Grand Ronde area over the last two days. The first fire at the Grand Ronde Elementary School on Grand Ronde Road occurred Monday at approximately 3:55 AM.

The fire at the school did minor damage and was discovered after a fire alarm sounded.

Today's fire at the Church of the Nazarene, across the street from the Grand Ronde Elementary School also was reported by a passerby at approximately 4:00 AM.

This fire caused major damage to the church and fire officials were still in the scene late today.

Polk County Sheriff Bob Wolfe stated that both fires are similar in nature, "and because both buildings had anarchist slogans spray painted on them, we are joining forces with the Oregon State Police Arson Team, ATF and FBI, who are assisting our office with this investigation."

Grand Ronde is located approximately 30 West of Salem on Hwy 18 to the Oregon Coast.

Anyone with information regarding either fire is asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 503-623-9251