Police investigate possible hate crime after arsonist sets fire to black church in North Carolina
'We completed our work on the scene and determined this was intentionally set.'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Investigators have ruled that an arsonist set fire to a predominantly black church in North Carolina.
The Charlotte Fire Department is currently investigating whether the arson was a hate crime. The fire occurred at the Briar Creek Road Baptist Church on Wednesday morning requiring 14 engines and 75 firefighters to control.
The 85-member Baptist church is predominantly black and David Williams, the department's senior fire investigator, said the investigators are ruling the fire as arson.
"We completed our work on the scene and determined this was intentionally set."
Mr Williams told the Charlotte-Observer that the department would determine whether or not the arson was a hate crime. Mannix Kinsey, the church’s pastor, told the paper that he's already forgiven the arsonist but he hopes that hate wasn’t a factor.
“We are still talking about this same issue and this is 2015. We all have to consider what else do we need to do to actually be able to work together,” he said.
Two firefighters were treated with heat-related injuries at a nearby hospital but both are expected to make a full recovery.
The damage from the fire is estimated at more than $250,000.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments