June 17, 2005
Canby Alliance Church in Canby, Oregon, was severely damaged by fire during the evening of June 16. The cause of the fire is attributed to a developmentally disabled 16-year-old who was playing with a candle and paper inside a storeroom. The teenager had gone to the church with his family. He lit some papers in the storeroom with a candle. As the fire spread, he unsuccessfully tried to extinguish it by placing a church banner on the flames. About half the building was destroyed while the other half sustained smoke damage.
The fire was discovered while 20 church members were finishing committee meetings and a worship rehearsal. They all escaped without harm, except for Pastor Tim Barton, who suffered minor injuries when an explosion catapulted him through a door and into the church parking lot.
There has been an outpouring of public support. The Evangelical Free church has offered its facility for services during the next few weeks. Pray for Tim and Associate pastor Jeff Cook and for the leadership and members of the church.