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Ferris
PsychedelicJourneyman



Registered: 03/12/06
Posts: 11,529
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Palin's church burned to the ground, lol
#9428268 - 12/14/08 02:29 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/622552.html
Quote:
A Friday night fire at Gov. Sarah Palin's church caused an estimated $1 million in damage, and investigators say it could be the work of an arsonist.
Firefighters were called to Wasilla Bible Church about 9:40 p.m. and found flames and smoke coming out windows at the back of the three-story structure, said James Steele, chief of the Central Mat-Su Fire Department.
Five women, and possibly a couple of children, were inside the church working on crafts, but everyone got out safely after a fire alarm alerted them to trouble, Steele said.
It was the biggest fire the department has seen this year, and Steele said as many as 35 to 40 volunteer firefighters came from across the region to battle the blaze.
"We are definitely treating it as suspicious and as potential arson at this point," he said.
Steele declined to say why investigators believe the fire might have been set deliberately, or whether accelerants were found on the scene.
Nothing thus far suggests any political motivation for the fire, the chief said.
"Right now there's no indication that we have that there's any connection there. We just don't have any leads at all as far as the intent or motive in this," Steele said.
The building is worth between $4 million and $5 million, and sustained an estimated $1 million in damage, he said.
A task force has been formed to investigate, including people from the state fire marshal's office, the Central Mat-Su Fire Department, the Wasilla Police Department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Anchorage Fire Department also sent out an investigator.
The church, located off the Parks Highway on the west end of town, is one of the biggest in the Valley with typical Sunday services drawing around 1,000 people. Several well-known Valley residents attend the church, including Palin and state Rep. Wes Keller, R-Wasilla.
Palin's office issued this statement Saturday:
"Gov. Palin stopped by the church this morning, and she told an assistant pastor that she apologizes if the incident is in any way connected to the undeserved negative attention the church has received since she became a vice-presidential candidate on Aug. 29. Whatever the motives of the arsonist, the governor has faith in the scriptural passage that what was intended for evil will in some way be used for good."
Bill McAllister, the governor's media spokesman, said he wasn't sure when Palin last attended the church. He said she would not attend services this morning because she's traveling to Juneau, where she will release next year's proposed state budget on Monday. But the governor's children do plan to go to church, he said.
The church's Web site says the congregation will meet at 11:15 a.m. today at Wasilla Middle School.
no specific clues
The church is a large tan and green metal building adorned with an enormous metal cross. From the front, the only evidence of a problem Saturday was the handful of Wasilla police vehicles in the parking lot.
Around back, the damage was striking. Icicles hung in shattered windows, and the metal siding was burned through in a few spots and browned where fire or smoke escaped. Yellow tags signaled the ongoing investigation.
Church Pastor Larry Kroon, reached at home Saturday morning, said he'd been up all night and was still in a state of disbelief.
He said the church was in only its second winter in the building, and he confirmed the $1 million damage estimate.
"It's one of those things -- it feels surreal," he said.
The pastor said he was especially disturbed someone would set the fire while people were inside.
He said he had talked to fire officials, but didn't know of any specific clues.
"The possibilities are so wide and variable," he said. "Someone intentionally did it, but we don't know who and why."
Asked if Palin is a member of Wasilla Bible Church, Kroon said it's just one of the churches she attends. He declined to say how often she attends, or when she last came.
The pastor also declined to say whether the church has received any recent threats, or to speculate whether the fire was politically motivated or directed at Palin, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully as John McCain's vice presidential running mate.
Kroon was at home when he got a call from the husband of one of the women who had been in the church. By the time he arrived, smoke was pouring out.
The church is equipped with a fire sprinkler system, Kroon said, but the fire was burning in the walls and took hours to put out.
Firefighters had to tear open wall spaces to snuff hot spots, and were on the scene until after 5 a.m. Saturday, Steele said.
single service today
Most of the damage was confined to the back corner of the building where four offices and a classroom are located, he said. Aside from water damage, the entire building smells like smoke, he said.
On Saturday, Youth Pastor Rick Francis greeted church members and others at his post at one of the church's two driveways. His job was to keep them away during the investigation.
Church leaders are just thankful no one was hurt in the blaze, Francis said. It's too early to tell how extensive the damage is, he added.
"It's a mess," Francis said.
Wasilla Mayor Verne Rupright, in bunny boots and a Carhartt jacket to fend off the zero-degree chill, coordinated help from the city, including barricades to block a driveway.
Rupright, not a church member, said his heart went out to the congregation and to city residents who might rely on public outreach services the church provides.
Normally, the church has two services each Sunday. This morning, it will be a single, shortened service, Kroon said.
"There's a central drumbeat that we have a have as a church, and we're just going to continue to beat that drum," he said. "Times like this, you choose faith, you live with hope, and you really care about people. And that's it."
-------------------- Discuss Politics
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Coaster
BaĘżal



Registered: 05/22/06
Posts: 33,501
Loc: Deep in the Valley
Last seen: 12 years, 4 months
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Re: Palin's Church burned to the ground, lol [Re: Ferris]
#9428273 - 12/14/08 02:29 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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its a sign from god
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Gastronomicus
3-0-G



Registered: 03/31/05
Posts: 9,742
Last seen: 2 hours, 56 minutes
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Re: Palin's church burned to the ground, lol [Re: Ferris]
#9428281 - 12/14/08 02:31 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Haha so awesome. Fucking cunt... (sorry Seuss, Prisoner #1, and Lonestar)
-------------------- Make my Funk the P Funk, I wants to get Funked up
LAGM2024
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blewmeanie




Registered: 10/01/06
Posts: 28,984
Loc:
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Re: Palin's church burned to the ground, lol [Re: Gastronomicus]
#9428295 - 12/14/08 02:37 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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How is someone trying to burn down a building with women and children inside of it funny?
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Gastronomicus
3-0-G



Registered: 03/31/05
Posts: 9,742
Last seen: 2 hours, 56 minutes
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Re: Palin's church burned to the ground, lol [Re: blewmeanie]
#9428300 - 12/14/08 02:38 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Because it's full of women and children?
-------------------- Make my Funk the P Funk, I wants to get Funked up
LAGM2024
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Bridgeburner
Not spiritual at all.




Registered: 09/16/06
Posts: 20,010
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Re: Palin's church burned to the ground, lol [Re: blewmeanie]
#9428303 - 12/14/08 02:39 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
blewmeanie said: How is someone trying to burn down a building with women and children inside of it funny?
god you're boring
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blewmeanie




Registered: 10/01/06
Posts: 28,984
Loc:
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Re: Palin's church burned to the ground, lol [Re: Bridgeburner]
#9428306 - 12/14/08 02:40 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Yeah, that must be it.
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Gastronomicus
3-0-G



Registered: 03/31/05
Posts: 9,742
Last seen: 2 hours, 56 minutes
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Re: Palin's church burned to the ground, lol [Re: blewmeanie]
#9428310 - 12/14/08 02:40 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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-------------------- Make my Funk the P Funk, I wants to get Funked up
LAGM2024
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UnholyChild666
I'M GOD

Registered: 03/26/06
Posts: 8,940
Loc:
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Re: Palin's church burned to the ground, lol [Re: Ferris]
#9428373 - 12/14/08 03:05 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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--------------------
"I am the Highest Power the leader of the pack" Actiavte My Dream Sequence Machine GOD of the hologram earth
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Gastronomicus
3-0-G



Registered: 03/31/05
Posts: 9,742
Last seen: 2 hours, 56 minutes
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Re: Palin's church burned to the ground, lol [Re: UnholyChild666]
#9428376 - 12/14/08 03:06 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Maybe a witch did it
-------------------- Make my Funk the P Funk, I wants to get Funked up
LAGM2024
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UnholyChild666
I'M GOD

Registered: 03/26/06
Posts: 8,940
Loc:
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Re: Palin's church burned to the ground, lol [Re: Gastronomicus]
#9428387 - 12/14/08 03:09 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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or maybe it was gods wrath for keeping more money in the church than giving it to needy people.......
Quote:
The building is worth between $4 million and $5 million
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"I am the Highest Power the leader of the pack" Actiavte My Dream Sequence Machine GOD of the hologram earth
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Gastronomicus
3-0-G



Registered: 03/31/05
Posts: 9,742
Last seen: 2 hours, 56 minutes
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Re: Palin's church burned to the ground, lol [Re: UnholyChild666]
#9428394 - 12/14/08 03:11 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
UnholyChild666 said: or maybe it was gods wrath for keeping more money in the church than giving it to needy people.......
Quote:
The building is worth between $4 million and $5 million
God wants Sarah Palin to be rich. Saint Sarah they'll call her. She Who Could Seeith Russia From Her House.
-------------------- Make my Funk the P Funk, I wants to get Funked up
LAGM2024
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filthee
DWWP


Registered: 10/17/08
Posts: 4,257
Loc: australia
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Re: Palin's church burned to the ground, lol [Re: blewmeanie]
#9428396 - 12/14/08 03:11 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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common sense always is,thank christ
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Bridgeburner
Not spiritual at all.




Registered: 09/16/06
Posts: 20,010
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Re: Palin's church burned to the ground, lol [Re: filthee]
#9428536 - 12/14/08 04:08 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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--------------------
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filthee
DWWP


Registered: 10/17/08
Posts: 4,257
Loc: australia
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Re: Palin's church burned to the ground, lol [Re: Bridgeburner]
#9428572 - 12/14/08 04:24 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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good news again
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thebrain
Sir Cease Topic
Registered: 11/03/07
Posts: 1,215
Loc: Washington, USA, Earth, S...
Last seen: 14 years, 3 days
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Re: Palin's church burned to the ground, lol [Re: filthee]
#9428643 - 12/14/08 05:07 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Never question god.
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