Arson suspected in two church fires

MERRITT — A nearly 150-year-old church has been destroyed by a suspicious fire, one of two blazes at Merrittarea churches early Friday.

The historic Murray United Church on Highway 5A in the Nicola Valley was built in 1876.

Carl Johnston, a captain with the Merritt Fire Rescue Department, said the singleroom building was engulfed in flames by the time crews arrived and the structure could not be saved.

The Crossroads Community Church in Merritt was also damaged by fire.

Johnston says the cause of the fires are under investigation by the RCMP.