Merritt church fires investigated

A nearly 150-year-old church has been destroyed by a suspicious fire, one of two blazes at Merritt-area 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 single-room building was engulfed in flames and 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. Const. Tracy Dunsmore says the Crossroads fire is a confirmed arson but officers are still gathering information at the Murray blaze and are appealing for help from the public.