There have been five attacks on Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Halls in Thurston County in the past nine months.

Friday marks one week since fire ripped through a Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall in Lacey. The fire, which was ruled an arson, is the latest in a string of attacks on Kingdom Halls in Thurston County.

No one has been hurt in the attacks. Investigators say no arrests have been made.

Jason Chudy, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), said investigators have identified several persons of interests they would like to talk to about the arson. They have been working to recover surveillance images and have also received tips from the public.

Elder Rance Smith said as the investigation moves forward, so do members of the Kingdom Hall.

"The important thing is to maintain our spiritual routine, so that's where the focus is," said Smith.

The Kingdom Hall, located along 6th Avenue SE in Lacey, is burned out and gated up. Flames tore through the building around 3:30 a.m. on Friday, December 7.

There have been five attacks on Kingdom Halls in Thurston County in the last nine months. The attacks started on March 19 with two arson fires - one in Tumwater and the other in Olympia. Both Kingdom Halls received minor damage.

Then in May, 35 rifle rounds were fired into a Kingdom Hall in Yelm.

In July, the Olympia Kingdom Hall was targeted again and destroyed by fire.

On Thursday night, members from the congregation in Lacey mixed with members from the Olympia congregation who were also displaced by arson. The group met at a Lacey location where they could worship together.

"That's the adjustment that we have had to make," Smith said. "It is an indication of how strong their faith is and the hope that they have."

The ATF suspects the cases are connected, and the arsons are meant to send a message. A suspect profile, created by the ATF, finds the person responsible likely takes issue with Jehovah's Witnesses and has made those feelings known before.

The suspect would also have an interest in the investigation and could have an injury. Additionally, the suspect may have changed routines and/or their physical appearance, according to the ATF.