The trail has gone cold in an investigation of the fire that severely damaged Elm Street Baptist Church’s fellowship hall last year.
The fire, which occurred May 11, 2021, was set intentionally, investigators said at the time. It destroyed much of the interior of the upper floor of the two-story structure, which is still in the process of being repaired.
The church’s fellowship hall had been burglarized during the last week of April prior by one or more individuals who broke in and plugged drains in the upper floor of the building, then turned on water faucets that caused damage well into tens of thousands of dollars. Church members arrived Sunday morning, April 25, to find a couple of inches of water standing on the carpeted first floor, with ceilings falling and paint peeling off walls.
Repair efforts were already under way when the fire occurred.
Police Chief Jeff Lynn said evidence submitted to the state crime laboratory resulted in “no DNA, no prints.”
He said police had a suspect, but “he lawyered up, which really hampered the investigation.”
He said the case is “closed, but it’s still on the books.”
Anyone with information regarding the fire is asked to contact Sgt. Jason Ogden at (541) 367-5181.