Man Starts Fire in Salem Oregon Church Amid Congregation of Several Hundred

(SALEM) - A man is in custody tonight for starting a fire inside the People’s Church on Lancaster Drive in Salem, while several hundred people were inside the building.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Kevin Rau says the incident started around 7:30 PM. The suspect is accused of hijacking a local yellow cab and placing a knife to the throat of the taxi driver.

Rau says the man forced the cabbie to take him to The People’s Church on Lancaster Drive NE. Once at that location, the man is alleged to have entered the church with some type of flammable liquid. That’s when the fire started.

One person who contacted Salem-News.com after the incident said a person “had entered the church during their evening service and had poured gasoline on people and then set them on fire.”

Rau says it was chaotic and it apparently did not take long for the man to be overtaken. He says investigators are sifting through the information now. Unfortunately, at least two people were injured in the ensuing fire, which other media reported as multiple fires. Rau says he believes there was a total of one fire.

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C.T. Woolston December 8, 2006 3:29 pm (Pacific time)

This is the very reason why I retired from Law Enforcement to train Churches in protective measures. God Bless all

kathy p. oct. 27, 2006 6;30 p.m. October 27, 2006 6:37 pm (Pacific time)

I was at church last sunday morning at lancaster assembly of god when this man kam came in to our sunday school class. he seemed lost and uncertain as to what to do. HE was invited to join us. he did so and then came to the church service. he tried to distrupt the pastor and was told to be quiet please. He left right after church,and was seen walking down lancaster. why he chose that church peoples church and not ours i cannot say only god knows. my prayers are with all at peoples church

The Editor October 27, 2006 2:52 pm (Pacific time)

The story was breaking when we put this up, please go to the front page of salem-news.com to see the current story with the man's image and name, thanks.

Andrew October 27, 2006 2:29 pm (Pacific time)

I heard this mentioned on M. Savage yesterday and couldn't believe that the guy is only being charged with arson and vandalism. Is that true? And why didn't the article mention the guy's name?

AmericaISDuped October 26, 2006 9:40 pm (Pacific time)

And to think... most American's especially LIBERALS.. do beleive the Devil exists!! PATHETIC!!

Anonymous October 26, 2006 3:22 pm (Pacific time)

his name is Kam Shing Chan

Lindsay October 26, 2006 2:57 pm (Pacific time)

I attend that church, but I was not there that night. I did hear though that one of the pastors tackled the guy. The church is affiliated with the Assemblies of God.

sylvester90902 October 26, 2006 1:53 pm (Pacific time)

hey what denomination is this church? thats really sad what happened. that guy is a whacko!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve M October 26, 2006 12:13 pm (Pacific time)

Hey the guys name is 53 year old kam tran. The D-A says the attack is an isolated incident, and that the church is still closed. Seven pews were damaged by the fire and that there is smoke and water damage to the churchs santuary. Check the name for sure.

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