PASCO, Wash.- Pasco Fire is currently on the scene of a fire at the Tri-Cities Apostolic Lutheran Church at 1207 W. Court St.
The westbound lanes of Court St. from 10th to 14th are closed according to the PFD and drivers are asked to avoid the area.
The fire is currently being investigated as an arson case. According to Lieutenant Thomas Groom with the Pasco Police Department several businesses in the area near the church had their windows broken around 5 a.m. on July 27.
Pasco PD responded to the old Bank of America building on Lewis St. for reports of a robbery in progress. According to the PPD Officers smelled smoke in the building and found evidence that someone had tried to set the building on fire.
A short time later Police responded to the Celebration One Salon on W. Clark St. where a male reportedly broke a window and tried to set curtains on fire.
The witness who called Police confronted the suspect, but the suspect ran away and was gone before Police arrived.
Pasco PD then began getting reports of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of the Tri-Cities being on fire. According to the PPD witnesses saw a male suspect breaking windows at the church.
When Police arrived at the church it was burning and the suspect was seen running west on Court St.
While Pasco Fire responded to the church Police found the suspect and the 36-year-old man was taken into custody near 16th and Agate on suspicion of several counts of arson and burglary.
