Fire that destroyed an historic Alberta church is no longer thought to be accidental.
An arson detection dog sniffed out traces of what is believed to have been – but is as yet inconclusive – a fire-starting stimulant at the McDougall Memorial United Church earlier this month.
The accelerant detection canine from Calgary Fire Department is specifically trained to find accelerants.
In a Municipal District of Bighorn May 2017 Emergency Services Report, it stated the church “investigation has determined that this was a set fire.”
The 142-year-old church on Highway 1A east of Morley was destroyed by fire on May 22, and determined at the time to have been “likely accidental,” by authorities.
The Outlook learned of the MD report and contacted Exshaw Fire-Rescue to confirm the findings.
“We don’t believe (the fire is) accidental anymore,” said Exshaw fire chief Rick Lyster.
Leading the criminal investigation is Cochrane RCMP which is unable to comment on the newest development.
McDougall Stoney Mission Society member Sarah Harvey, in a June 11 interview with the Outlook, said their insurance company conducted a fire investigation and is in touch with the society every few days.
“I haven’t heard back as to the official cause of the fire. We do know the fire was started inside the church with combustible material; maybe the fire investigators don’t want to call it arson, maybe it was accidental, but we just know it was intentionally lit,” Harvey said.
