Church fire in Cherry Grove a “total loss”

Firefighters worked early on Friday morning to contain a blaze at a Cherry Grove church that is being deemed suspicious by authorities.

At roughly 3:20 a.m. the first reports of the fire. Station 9 Cold Lake responded with three pumpers, a tanker, and a ladder truck to the hamlet east of Cold Lake.

At around 4 a.m., BRFA fire chief Dan Heney received a call from the Cold Lake Fire Chief for assistance. Tankers from Bonnyville, La Corey, and Iron River were called to the scene. Heney said he received a report that the church was fully involved, with the fire breaking through the roof.

The fire destroyed The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Based on initial investigation, the fire is being considered suspicious at this time, said the Cold Lake RCMP.

During this time, RCMP members attending the scene came across a second fire at the Cherry Grove Canada Post office. RCMP put out the smaller fire before it could do significant damage. Heney says both fires are suspicious in nature.

“We found some evidence on site that makes the fire very suspicious,” he said in a press release. “And the way the fire was acting also indicates it’s suspicious.”

“Our prayers and sympathies are with the community in Cherry Grove,” said Reeve Barry Kalinski in a release. “This is a devastating loss, especially knowing the high possibility both were set deliberately. We hope that anyone with information about either fire comes forward.”

Police are asking anyone within the Hamlet of Cherry Grove who may have information regarding this crime, or any video surveillance of the early morning hours of April 28, 2023 (especially in the areas of 50 Street, 50 Avenue, and Pine Drive), to please contact the Cold Lake RCMP at 780-594-3302 or your local police.

If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact crime stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), by internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by SMS (www.crimestoppers.ab.ca for instructions).

With files from Cold Lake RCMP and M.D. of Bonnyville.