Cambridge church fire on Easter Sunday investigated as arson
CAMBRIDGE - The fire at a church in Cambridge on Easter Sunday is being investigated as arson. The fire destroyed the Faith Lutheran Church on Broadway.
The FBI is asking any members of the public who may have information to contact them.
Investigators are looking for photos or videos of the church taken the day before the fire, Saturday April 8, anytime during the day of the fire, April 9, or during firefighting operations. Anyone with photos or video can submit them here.
The fire started Easter Sunday, around 5:30 in the afternoon. Firefighters worked overnight to put out lingering hotspots.
"No piece of information is too small to share," said Cambridge Fire Chief Thomas Cahill. "We are keenly aware that any place of worship is a cornerstone of the community, and we want to reassure residents that we're approaching this case with the seriousness and gravity that it deserves."
No one was hurt in the fire, which started about a half-hour after parishioners left following an Easter service. The fire did not spread to any buildings nearby, but the high, open ceilings of the church and the wood throughout allowed it to burn fast.
Chris Hersch works next door, and was displaced for a week because of the smoke and water damage to his business. The question of arson is understandably discouraging for church members and Cambridge neighbors.
"Hopefully it wasn't motivated because it was a church. The meditation center, there's a mosque here. You have a little bit of every religion here and I know everyone gets along. I know everyone is a community," Hersch said.
The steeple was removed because of structural integrity concerns.