The Cochrane RCMP are now treating the investigation into the McDougall Church fire as arson after receiving new information from MD of Big Horn investigators.

Cpl. Troy Savinkoff says the RCMP are now going full speed ahead and investigating the fire as arson. While they are reluctant to release further details, their investigaton had never truly wound up and they have been pursuing leads.

"Even with the original accidental determination there were some leads that we were following up with anyway," says Cpl. Savinkoff. "So, we had the investigation ongoing even during this time frame."

Because it's now considered arson, he says divulging further details could hinder the investigating.

Exshaw Fire Chief Rick Lyster said a joint effort by four fire investigators had determined a few weeks ago that the fire was intentional.

"In a combined effort we looked at the remains there, including using a canine, and it's not accidental, we're calling it arson now."

McDougall Stoney Mission Society president Ron Moore had not been informed of the decision by the RCMP to reopen the case when contacted, but isn't surprised.

"It just didn't seem logical that it was an accident when there is no source of ignition in the building," says Moore. "I didn't know why they had closed the case, but if they have reopened it may have been an error or misinformation."

Moore is pleased and, like many others, would like to see the the case solved.

"I don't know if there is any recourse, whether they find anything or not, but it would be nice to know what happened."

Moore says representatives of Alberta Heritage Resources were doing their own investigation at historic site on June 22 and wonders if that had an impact on the decision.

In a new release, Inspector Lauren Weare, in charge of the Cochrane detachment, said the investigation will be exhaustive.

"The McDougall Church was a significant historical heritage site and its loss has saddened both local and non-locals alike," says Weare. "Multiple investigators will focus on conducting an exhaustive investigation in an effort to identify the person or persons responsible."

Cpl. Savinkoff remains hopeful that they will be able to crack open the case, and urges anyone with information to come forward to the RCMP.

"We are certainly looking for input from the public. We have made no arrests at this time. We do have leads that investigators are following up on."

 

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