Suspicious fire destroys church south of Edmonton
A church was destroyed in a New Year's Eve fire near the village of Hay Lakes southeast of Edmonton.
First responders arrived at St. Joseph Lutheran Church around 11:30 p.m. to find the building "completely engulfed in flames."
St. Joseph Lutheran Church was destroyed by a fire on Dec. 31, 2022. (Dave Mitchell/CTV News Edmonton)
"Despite efforts of the first responders, the church was completely burned," Wetaskiwin RCMP said in a release on Thursday.
The fire was intentionally set, police said.
The church was originally built in 1915 and was moved to the new foundation in 1950, where it stood for another 72 years.
"Main concern is no one was hurt, but at the same time it’s a lot of history loss…a lot of the community around here has been involved for generations," said Hay Lakes Fire Chief Bryce Wolfe.
"What is the motive…for burning down a church?"
St. Joseph Lutheran Church was destroyed by a fire on Dec. 31, 2022. (Dave Mitchell/CTV News Edmonton)
Anyone with information about the suspicious fire is asked to call Mounties at 780-312-7200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau and Harris? Poilievre and Trump? Here's who Canadians think would work best with: survey
As Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, new data from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians hold differing views as to which federal party leaders would be best suited to deal with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
B.C. port employers launch lockout at terminals in labour dispute with workers
Employers at British Columbia ports say they are going ahead with locking out more than 700 foremen across the province after strike activities from union members began.
Months after VRBO booking, Taylor Swift fan told home 'not available' during Vancouver concert
A frustrated Taylor Swift fan is speaking out after being pushed from a short-term rental she booked for the upcoming Vancouver leg of the superstar’s Eras Tour.
Felonies, assassination attempts and a last-minute change on the ticket leads voters to Tuesday's U.S. election
A campaign that has careened through a felony trial, incumbent being pushed off the ticket and assassination attempts comes down to Election Day on Tuesday.
Measles cases in New Brunswick more than double in three days
A measles outbreak declared in New Brunswick’s Zone 3 last week, which includes Fredericton and the upper Saint John River Valley, has more than doubled since last week.
Prison sentences handed down for sexually abusive London, Ont. parents
In handing down the sentences for two London parents, Justice Thomas Heeney told the court, "The facts of this case were the most egregious that I have encountered during my 26 years on the bench."
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year ago. Here's how her condition was reversed
A year ago, Lorraine O'Quinn was coping with stress, chronic illness and Type 2 diabetes. Then she discovered a health program that she says changed her life.
Surprise swing state? Iowa poll has Harris suddenly leading
Based on victories in the past two elections and polls leading up to Tuesday’s election, Donald Trump had seemed almost certain to win Iowa, but a new poll has Kamala Harris with a sudden three-point lead.
Russia suspected of sending incendiary devices on US- and Canada-bound planes, Wall Street Journal reports
Incendiary devices that ignited in Germany and the United Kingdom in July were part of a covert Russian operation that aimed to start fires aboard cargo and passenger flights heading to the U.S. and Canada, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Monday, citing Western security officials.