ATF: Accelerant found at Palin church fire

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/ATF_joins_Palin_church_arson_investigation_1215.html

Federal authorities are joining an investigation into suspected arson that caused a half-million dollars of damage at an Alaska church Gov. Sarah Palin attends.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced Monday it would assist local authorities with the investigation.

The Wasilla Bible Church, which Palin attended before her selection as Republican vice presidential nominee, burned last Friday, and authorities found a flammable accelerant had been poured around the church. The fire's damage is estimated at $500,000, but no casualties have been reported.

Palin was not in the church when the fire began, but a small group that was inside escaped the blaze safely.

"ATF will continue to work diligently alongside our local partners and will make every effort to find the person or persons responsible for this fire," special agent in charge Douglas R. Dawson said in a news release. "Most importantly, there were no injuries or deaths related to this incident."

Palin reportedly visited the church on Saturday.

Congregants of the Wasilla church met at a temporary site on Sunday, but Palin was in Juneau preparing a state budget.