The State Fire Marshal and ATF are investigating three church fires in the span of a week, two in St. Landry Parish, the other in Vivian in north Louisiana. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue said the first fire was a significant one and occurred in the early morning hours of March 26th at the St. Mary’s Baptist Church in Port Barre.
“Our investigators are considering all possible factors for that case. We’ve got evidence waiting for some lab analysis which will be critical for our investigators to determine the direction they want to go in that,” said Rodrigue
Rodrigue said the second fire occurred in the Shreveport area at the Vivian United Pentecostal Church. Investigators say that fire was set intentionally over the weekend and they are on the hunt for a suspect.
“Someone set a fire inside the church sanctuary. Fortunately, that fire burned itself out so there was not a lot of damage aside from a small area on the floor. In that case, we are asking for the public’s assistance,” said Rodrigue.
Rodrigue said the final fire, the second in St. Landry Parish this week, occurred at the Greater Union Baptist Church. Responders got the call to fully-engulfed church early Tuesday morning.
“It is far too premature to comment on any potential connection. As I mentioned, both are significant fires. With that comes a lot of effort to try to identify an origin and cause,” said Rodrigue.
Both churches destroyed in St. Landry Parish were historically black Baptist churches.
