COLUMBIA, S.C. — Federal authorities say they are investigating recent fires at predominantly black churches, though the blazes do not appear to be related.
A federal law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity says a Friday fire at a church in South Carolina does not appear to have been intentionally set. The official had direct knowledge of the investigations but spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss them publicly.
The official says another fire at a North Carolina church appeared to be set by vandals, and investigators have found no graffiti or other evidence that it was racially motivated.
In Georgia, FBI Special Agent in Charge Britt Johnson says authorities are also looking into whether a June 23 fire could be a hate crime, which is common practice for fires at houses of worship.
