Following a fire that “completely destroyed” the142-year-old historic McDougall Church west of Cochrane, the initial report deeming the fire was “likely accidental” has been reversed after new information from the MD of Bighorn Fire Investigator was released.
“Further investigation by the fire investigator suggests this fire was in fact deliberately set,” a press release from the Cochrane RCMP stated on June 23.
An arson detection dog sniffed out traces of what is believed to have been – but as yet inconclusive – a fire-starting accelerant at the McDougall Memorial United Church earlier this month.
A special canine unit from the Calgary Fire Department, specially trained to find accelerants, detected the substance.
“When we get a call of arson, or any fire, we call the fire investigator and wait for them to assess and determine … the initial opinion didn’t close the investigation, we continued to have conversations (with the fire investigators) and a dog was brought in and they changed their opinion,” said Cpl. Troy Savinkoff with the Cochrane RCMP.
“Does that normally happen? No, it doesn’t.”
Further comments about the type of accelerant could not be made as the investigation is still open and the police are following up on leads.
“There are lots of rumours that are getting thrown around and we are following up on them,” Savinkoff said.
“Now that is has an arson determination we can put more people in place (to investigate).”
Anyone with information regarding the arson is asking to contact the Cochrane RCMP detachment at 403-851-8000.
- with files from Jordan Small, Rocky Mountain Outlook
