Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 9, 1990                   TAG: 9005090631
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

2 CHURCHES BURN; ARSON SUSPECTED

Both the Vesuvius Baptist Church and the Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church in Steeles Tavern were set ablaze, said sheriff's deputies in Rockbridge and Augusta counties. The two fires appear to be related, investigators said.

"We've got arson. There's no doubt about that," said Lt. J.E. Mader of the Augusta County Sheriff's Department, who is investigating the Mount Carmel fire.

He said flames were set in several different places inside the 75-year-old church, which sustained some $150,000 worth of smoke and water damage in the afternoon fire.

Details about the origin of the Vesuvius church blaze were unclear because much of the church was gutted by flames, said Rockbridge County sheriff's deputies.

- Shenandoah bureau