First Congrgational Church fire

Fire crews work to extinguish a three-alarm fire around 3 a.m. May 25, 2016 at 1220 N.E. 68th St. The fire was the first of two church fires within a 24 hour period. Investigators suspect arson and have offered a $10,000 reward for information leading the arrest of the arsonist.

(Clark County Fire District 6)

UPDATE: Authorities set up task force to investigate recent Clark County church arsons

Two Vancouver churches sustained fires within 24 hours, and investigators are looking for suspected arsonists and offering a reward.

Both fires began about 3 a.m. The first was Wednesday at the First Congregational Church, 1220 N.E. 68th St., then Thursday at the Liberty Bible Church of the Nazarene, 12401 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave.

It's too early to say if the fires are connected, said David Schmitke, Clark County Fire District 6 spokesman.

Wednesday's fire started outside the church's west end and set off an alarm. When crews arrived, they saw smoke coming out of the church.

"We went to a second alarm, and then really quickly that fire took off, and they called a third alarm," Schmitke said. Within an hour the fire was extinguished.

"We were able to limit the fire to one end of the sanctuary," he said. Damages to the structure are estimated at $630,000 and $1.2 million for the contents inside, including furniture, carpet and other belongings, he said.

"It's a very unique structure built in the early '60s," Schmitke said about the 26,000-square-foot building.

He said the Fire Marshal's Office has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the suspected arsonist.

"The fire marshal is not releasing details on how that one got started," Schmitke said.

A fundraising website has been created a page to help the church with repair costs.

On Thursday, someone threw a flaming item through the window of the Liberty Bible Church, Schmitke said, but the building's sprinkler system quickly extinguished it.

No one was injured in either fire. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting the county on the investigation, a standard practice when suspected arsons happen at churches, Schmitke said.

Anyone with information can call the Clark County Fire Marshal's office at 360-397-2076.

-- Tony Hernandez

thernandez@oregonian.com

503-294-5928

@tonyhreports