PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Authorities are investigating a suspected arson at a Grand Rapids-area church Monday morning.
A passerby called authorities around 11 a.m. Monday after they saw smoke coming from the Northview Community of Christ Church, located at 4897 Palenque Place near the intersection of Grand River Drive and East Beltline Avenue in Plainfield Township.
When fire crews arrived on scene, the front door was broken open and three separate fires were burning. The fires were on three different levels of the church, according to Plainfield Township Fire Chief Steve McKellar.
Firefighters knocked out the flames quickly. McKellar said the congregation is active, but the church was closed Monday morning. There were no reports of injuries.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but McKellar said it’s being called suspicious. An arson dog and detectives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms of Explosives are assisting in the investigation.
Authorities have not released any details about a suspect or suspects as of Monday afternoon.