ATF Investigates Suspicious Sunday Morning Fire at Post Falls Church

A fire that tore through The River Church on the 1600 block of E. Horsehaven Avenue in Post Falls early Sunday drew federal investigators after police declared the scene a crime scene and the Idaho State Fire Marshal's Office requested help from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Post Falls Police Department Lt. Brian Harrison said the department received calls about the fire around 4 a.m. "There was no one inside the church during the fire," Harrison said. Officers are now treating the scene as a crime scene while investigators work to determine whether a criminal act occurred.

Kootenai County Fire and Rescue interim fire chief Pete Holley said units arrived to find the building burning and immediately requested a second alarm. "A large portion of the church building was saved during the response, but a part of the structure was lost and is now unusable," Holley said. The building's size and challenges accessing the fire kept crews on scene through the late morning hours, with the scene clearing around 11:30 a.m. Mutual aid came from the Spokane Valley Fire Department, Coeur d'Alene Fire Department, Northern Lakes Fire District, and Hauser Lake Fire District, among others.

The church building also houses River Tech Elementary, a private Christian school, and Little Explorers Preschool. No injuries were reported and no occupants were inside at the time of the fire.

Senior Pastor Steven Karst addressed congregation members in a video posted to the church's Facebook page around 10 a.m. "This morning our building experienced a significant fire," Karst said. "While the damage is extensive, we are still in the process of assessing the full impact with the help of local authorities and fire officials." The church had posted roughly three hours earlier to cancel regular Sunday services, and Karst organized a parking-lot gathering at 11 a.m. where the congregation sang worship songs and he delivered a brief message. "The church turned out. We just led worship for a couple of songs. Prayed. Gave a short message, Jesus is always so faithful and he will be faithful in this situation," Karst said. "So I am sure this is going to work out to his glory."

Harrison expressed sympathy for the congregation. "Our hearts go out to them, you know, it's just a tragic event for them and a tragic event for the community," he said. "We wish them all the best as they try to navigate this difficult time."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The scene was turned over to the Idaho State Fire Marshal's Office, which has requested ATF assistance in determining the origin and cause. No arrests have been reported.