SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. –Eight separate fires were set within a few miles of each other on Tuesday morning according to fire crews in Spokane Valley. Two of the fires were started at churches on the same block.
SVFD officials said the first fire reported was at 12:31 a.m. at the Spokane Baptist Church on E. Broadway Ave.
John Harding works at the church and said it was a familiar feeling.
"Oh my gosh, our church is on fire again," Harding said.
The pastor of the Spokane Baptist Church said this is not the first suspicious fire at the church. Officials said this is the third time the church has suffered fire damage, with the last two being the result of arson. The building was last damaged from an arson fire on January 29.
The owners of the Spokane Baptist Church signed papers to move out of their building on Tuesday. The owners said they are planning on moving from the building in May.
Part of the building that was burned was used for Sunday school. Now all activities are being moved to the main hall.
Crews originally thought there were five fires, but the number increased to eight. Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) officials said two churches, a storage trailer, shrubs and multiple trash cans were ignited in eight separate locations between 12:30 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.
The second fire was reported at 12:43 a.m. in the shrubs at The Intersection Church on N. McDonald Rd.
Intersection Church pastor Gary Hebden said his first that was if they building was okay. His second thought was another familiar feeling.
"I remember we had another fire here on January 4th," Hebden said."So I started thinking, I wonder if these are connected."
The damage from the previous fire was just a few feet away from the fire started on Tuesday.
SVFD officials said crews also responded to a series of garbage can fires. One on N Wilbur Rd. and E Boone Ave, and two along N Bowdish Rd. near E Boone Ave.
Fire crews also responded to a storage trailer fire in an open field near N Bowdish Rd. and E Mission Ave, as well as a bulletin board fire at Pines Manor Apartments on N Pines Rd. near E Olive Ave.
SVFD fire crews worked with deputies from the Spokane Valley Police Department to minimize damage. The Spokane County Sheriff also assisted with K-9 and helicopter support in an effect to locate any suspicious persons in the area and to spot any other fires.
Officials from SVFD said no firefighters or civilians injuries were reported.
SVFD officials said the preliminary damage estimate is at least $23,000.
Authorities believe these fire are the work of a serial arsonist who has been on the move since December 2015.
Hebden said he is happy that everyone is alright and that his church is in one piece.
"You can't become overly mad about it,' Spokane Baptist John Harding said. "You just have to understand that there are people that are just really troubled and they need help."
If you have any information on the fires you are asked to call SVFD at 509-928-1700.