Fire at black Georgia church was arson, officials say
MACON, Ga. - Authorities say a fire that damaged a predominantly black church in middle Georgia has been ruled arson.
The fire was reported at God's Power of Christ Church in Macon early Tuesday morning. Macon-Bibb County Fire Sgt. Ben Gleaton told local media outlets that investigators determined the fire was intentionally set but didn't provide details on what led to that conclusion.
Gleaton says there's no evidence indicating that the fire was a hate crime. He would not comment on whether authorities have identified any suspects, reports CBS affiliate WMAZ.
Authorities have said electronics and other equipment also had been stolen from the building in two burglaries.
Firefighters in Charlotte, North Carolina, have said a blaze at a black church Wednesday also was intentionally set.
The fires come roughly a week after nine churchgoers were fatally shot at a Charleston, South Carolina, black church.
Anyone with information on the Georgia church fire is asked to contact the state's arson hotline at 1-800-282-5804.