UPDATE: 10:30 a.m.

Crews responded to two church fires in the Merritt area this morning and at least one was an attempted arson.

Merritt fire captain Chris Johnston says crews were called to the Crossroads Church on Voght Street and within an hour, they were called to the Murray Church just outside of town.

“The second one on Highway 5A was a fully-involved structure fire.”

That second church was the oldest building in the Nicola Valley.

“From what the crews on scene have told me, unfortunately it is a loss,” Johnston says.

RCMP Const. Tracy Dunsmore says the Crossroads Church is confirmed to be an attempted arson, while the same is unclear for the Murray Church.

“What we are asking is if the public has information, two churches within an hour and there’s definite arson signs there, so we’re looking for any information.”

Dunsmore adds arson to a church is considered to be a hate crime.

ORIGINAL: 9:00 a.m.

A fire has claimed the oldest building in the Nicola Valley.

Merritt Fire Captain Carl Johnston says two fire engines, a ladder truck, and 16 firefighters attended not one but two fires both at churches.

“Earlier this morning we responded to two separate structure fires. The first was a church located on the 2900 block of Voght Street, and then the second was a church located along Highway 5A.

The church along Highway 5A was the historic Murray Church built in 1876 and the only building still standing using Nicola Valley lumber.

“Right now due to the suspicious natures of the fires, investigations have been turned over to the RCMP,” Johnston says.

Johnston says the Murray Church building was a fully involved fire with the church itself being a total loss.

(Photos: Ken Carruthers)