Fire that destroyed Beiseker church early Wednesday was arson, RCMP say

A fire that destroyed the Beiseker Level-Land Seventh-day Adventist Church, 10 kilometres east of the village of Beiseker, was deliberately set, RCMP say.

Beiseker is 50 kilometres northeast of Calgary.

Michael Bourgon, the manager of emergency and fire services for Wheatland County, says a call came in at 6:12 a.m. Wednesday. He said four fire departments immediately responded, but it was too late to save the church.

"Upon arrival, the building was fully involved, so obviously, we took defensive strategy and it was a total loss," Bourgon told CBC News.

In a release on Thursday,Airdrie Integrated Rural RCMPsaid a fire investigator determined late Wednesday that it was a case of arson.He said the building was vacant at the time, so there were no injuries.

"It's unfortunate, obviously. An historic building, part of the community. It's always difficult when these things happen, but we did everything that we could," Bourgon said.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contactAirdrie RCMP at 4039457200 or Crime Stoppers.