Initially reported as arson, police now say incident at Abbotsford church a case of mischief
A fire at a Fraser Valley church that was initially described as an arson is now considered a case of mischief, local police say.
In a brief update on the case from earlier this week, the Abbotsford Police Department said investigators came to the conclusion with help from its forensic identification section.
A person of interest has been identified by police, who believe the incident was isolated.
Officers said they believe there is no threat to the public or other places of worship in connection with the fire reported Wednesday evening.
They did not publicly identify the person of interest or provide any details on what led them to believe the fire wasn't an arson. Police also did not say anything about the distinction between the offences.
The Criminal Code definition of mischief as it relates to religious property includes, but is not limited to, a person who destroys or damages property "if the commission of the mischief is motivated by bias, prejudice or hate."
If a person is convicted of an indictable offence, they may be sentenced to a prison term of no more than 10 years.
Arson, under the Criminal Code, includes but is not limited to a person who intentionally or recklessly causes damage to a property by fire or explosion, when the incident causes bodily harm to another person, or when the person knows the property is occupied or is reckless about whether it may be. Penalties vary from less than five years behind bars to life imprisonment.
Police said previously they were called to the Central Heights Church in Abbotsford at around 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze on McCallum Road, and, after surveillance video was viewed by police, a suspect description was made public.
At the time of the fire, the church was closed and no one was inside. The damage was described by police as minimal.
It appears from the APD's assertion that there is no risk to other places of worship that the department may not believe the fire is tied to a growing number of similar cases across Canada.
Churches have been targeted with arson and vandalism in recent weeks, which some have speculated is connected to the discovery of unmarked graves at former residential school sites – though most of those involved have not been arrested.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Andrew Weichel
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
Israel says it reopened a key Gaza crossing after a rocket attack but the UN says no aid has entered
The Israeli military said Wednesday that it has reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, a key terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed over the weekend after a Hamas rocket attack killed four Israeli soldiers nearby.
Spanish prosecutors recommend 2nd investigation into Shakira's taxes be thrown out
Spanish state prosecutors recommended Wednesday that an investigating judge shelve a probe into another alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.