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Update: Oct. 23, 2013:
Valley City, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Oct 23, 2013) — Investigators have concluded that Monday morning’s fire at Faith Lutheran Church in Valley City was arson.
The fire caused more than one million dollars in damages.
Valley City Fire Chief Gary Retterath and other investigators including the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and North Dakota State Fire Marshals, said, “We all agreed that it was a set fire at the church.”
Retterath confirmed the fire was set in a number of different locations in the church.
The investigation continues with federal and state investigators and the Valley City Police Department.
Earlier this week, Valley City Police Chief Fred Thompson said authorities were looking into the possibility of the fire being related to a late-September string of church burglaries in Valley City, but it was “too early to tell.”
The church building remains sealed, as the investigation continues.
A possible reward may be offered, leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for starting the fire.
Update Oct. 22, 2013
Another investigator was called to the scene to assist in determining the cause of the blaze.
Valley City, ND (AP & KCSi-T.V. News Oct 21, 2013)– An early Monday morning fire has heavily damaged Faith Lutheran Church, on Fourth Street, Northeast, in Valley City.
The fire was reported about 4-a.m.
Valley City Fire Chief Gary Retterath says flames were shooting out an office window, when the fire units arrived.
He says the heaviest damage occurred in an office area on the main level, but the rest of the building has heavy smoke damage. He estimates damage at more than $1 million.
The North Dakota State Fire Marshall has been called in to investigate.
On Tuesday, another investigator was called in to search for the cause of the blaze. Valley City Fire Chief Gary Retterath would not speculate on the nature of the fire or if it is being considered suspicious.
The Valley City Fire Department and church officials ask that nobody enter the building, until an investigation is complete and the structure is safe.
Valley City Police Chief Fred Thompson says authorities are looking into the possibility of the fire being connected to a recent string of church burglaries in Valley City. Faith Lutheran Church, was recently burglarized twice.
He says, no connection has been found yet but he says “it’s certainly an interesting coincidence.”
Over the weekend of Sept. 28-29, 2013, the Valley City Police Department was called to Trinity Lutheran Church, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, the Congregational United Church of Christ and Faith Lutheran Church to investigate burglaries.
Church Council President Tory Hart says a committee has been formed to determine the church’s future.
In the wake of Monday’s fire, at Faith Lutheran Church, in Valley City, plans have been made for gatherings later this week.
October 23, 2013:
October 27, 2013:
Service at Trinity Lutheran Church-8:30 am
Regular worship services will be determined later this week.
Donation funds have been set up at both Dacotah Bank and Bank Forward.
October 27, 2013:
Service at Trinity Lutheran Church-8:30a
Regular worship services will be determined later this week.
Donation funds have been set up at both Dacotah Bank and Bank Forward.
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