[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/CRIME/12/13/palin.church/art.palin.gi.jpg caption="Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin reportedly apologized for possibility that fire was related to her nomination."]
(CNN) - A "suspicious" fire devastated the church attended by Alaska Gov. and former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin on Friday night in her hometown of Wasilla, the church's minister said.
"We have no idea what caused it," the Rev. Larry Kroon of the Wasilla Bible Church said Saturday, adding that investigators were considering arson and other possible causes.
A ladies' craft group was in the building when the fire broke out, but they got out safely, Kroon said.
"No one was hurt," he said.
Central Mat-Su Fire Department Chief James Steele said the department was "treating it as suspicious and as potential arson at this point" but did not elaborate, The Anchorage Daily News reported.
The newspaper said Palin released a statement after the fire in which she said she stopped by the church Saturday morning and offered an apology to the assistant pastor "if the incident is in any way connected to the undeserved negative attention the church has received since she became a vice presidential candidate."
my regards to the church, and if it is arson as suspected, then shame on the culprits.
I am a liberal, very left leaning American, and certainly do NOT agree with Palin on her political stance, but if this is politically motivated, then its just plain wrong!
but on a side note, this has not been labeled as arson yet, but its just a "suspicion" and Palin's comments are a little early (just her political PR inexperience)
but non-the-less a sad story
What a joke!! There's been NO investigation yet... and yet they call it 'suspicious'. What a bunch of bunk! They admit they don't know what caused it, yet they consider it possibly arson. Sherlock Holmes would roll over in his grave...
How you can consider it arson without knowing what caused it makes it only speculation, and it's irresponsible to say anything otherwise. Obviously, Wasilla is overflowing with irresponsibility.
Once again... it just goes to show you what goes for intelligence up in Wasilla, Alaska.
I'm glad no one was hurt and it is unfortunate what happened to the church. But I have to say giving an apology without knowing the facts is suspcious. Mmmm; grasping for more attention or are you ready to place the blame on Non-Real Americans.
I cant believe some nuts actually set the church on fire, but if they did, they should be arrested, prosecuted to the fullness extent of the law and locked in jail.
However, i have to say that bringing church into politics wasnt wise at all from both sides. Lets leave God vs God out of election. Praying for unlimited rain, praying for God to show his power on election night for a McCain victory is all a stupid way of discrediting God. God is God and the foolishness of God is still wiser than brains of men.
Sarah Palin has a lot of confession and forgiveness to seek from man and God. I am not perfect, but she made the less perfect even less perfect. She needs to unite, bring hearts together and quit seeking things of the world.
If God be for you Sarah, no one can be against you so stop and quit blaming or condemning others.
Let's see how the liberals can blame this on Palin
ya know I'm a democrat Obama supporter but back off palin she's a good person at heart!
"if the incident is in any way connected to the undeserved negative attention the church has received since she became a vice presidential candidate."
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Duhh you think??!!
I am a democrat and voted that way ,but we pray for GOV. PALIN AND HOPE THEY CAN REBUILD SOON!!! GOD BLESS YOU 🙂
Since Sarah Palin is the most important person on the planet right now, there could be no other reason for there to be a fire at the church that she happens to attend.
Hmmmm. Always lookin' for attention aren't you, Gov. Palin? I hope they move quickly on determining the cause of the fire and I hope they tell the truth about it, whatever that may be, so that certain parties can't use this to their advantage. Maybe it's divine intervention?
Sarah, you sound like you might know just what happened? Why are you feeling that this fire is connceted to you? Hmmmmmm?
First of all Thank GOD no one was hurt. Next, as someone who has heavily critisized Palin it is outrageous if this was arson; and I hope that someone is caught and severely punished for placing people in danger.As an aside, the building looks more like a warehouse than a church.
This thing is a church? Looks like a smelting factory. What a depressing dump.
Too bad Palin didn't burn down with it.
sarah was the last nail for the destruction of the republican party that bush started, thank you both
Everything happens for a reason. I find it interesting how frequent churches are destroyed by accidents or nature. We reap and sow on a consistent basis. It's great that no one was injured, however Palin has a whole lot of karma to experience in her life, based on her thoughts and actions during her campaign.
meatheads, it mustve been a sign from god huh?? LMFAO
Someone remind Sarah..."you're not that important"....
Sarah...you're not that important....
I think that it was vvery noble of Govenor Palin to say what she said. Although, I don't think she had to.. Eventhough I was not a supporter of the MCclain/Palin ticket, I think her actions were noble.
Pretty arogant of Palin to think the fire had anything to do with her.
I'm sorry, but is the news really still talking about her? This is ridiculous. A mayor in a small town that doesnt have social services at all (school board, fire department, etc.) and she is still being talked about?!?!?!!? This is all because of good looks and its just sad. Its really just sad and pathetic. The only way this woman deserves national news attention is if she is the next winner of dancing with the stars!!!
I truly am sorry if Sarah Palin's church has been damaged for whatever reason. No one should take the law into their own hands and this is a crime that can never be condoned. Sarah Palin has come out with the statement that she is sorry if all the negativity which surrounded her and her church during the presidential campaign has resulted in the damage to her church. I hope not but perhaps the good that will come out of this, over the evil, will be if Gov Palin recognises that she divided your great country with hatred, she condoned violence and did nothing to prevent the death threats against Barack Obama. Her behaviour is extreme to say the least and certainly not worthy of a possible future presidential candidate. God help America if she ever succeeds.
maybe it was that witch doctor.
This is a message from above, Sarah!!! Are you smart enough to heed it?