BELLINGHAM, Wash. <.b> -- Local and federal authorities are investigating arson at a Bellingham church.

A local security firm discovered the fire after receiving a burglary alarm at the Birchwood Presbyterian Church at 400 Meadowbrook Court before 7 a.m. Monday morning.

Fire crews arrived and immediately put out a fire that had been set in the hallway.

They also discovered a larger smoldering fire in the sanctuary.

Bellingham Police Lt. Rick Sucee says the fires were clearly the work of an arsonist.



The fire in the sanctuary was extinguished by the sprinkler system, which saved the church from any structural damage, but the interior suffered smoke and fire damage.

The Bellingham Fire Fepartment, Bellingham Police Department, ATF and FBI are working together on the investigation.