Fire At Black Church In Massachusetts Could Possibly Be A Hate Crime, Officials Say
KEY POINTS
Authorities believe the church fire could potentially be a hate crime because it erupted overnight
Local, state and federal authorities are investigating the incident
A fire that broke out Monday early morning at a Black church in Massachusetts is being investigated as a possible arson, authorities said.
Firefighters responded to reports of a fire at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield at around 5 a.m. ET on Monday. It took the officials about an hour to contain the blaze, which caused severe damages to the property, leaving it unusable.
Published December 28. 2020 11:35PM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) A fire early Monday morning at a Massachusetts church with a predominantly Black congregation is considered “highly suspicious” and is being investigated as a possible arson, authorities said.
City, state and federal authorities are investigating the fire that heavily damaged the Martin Luther King Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi said at a news conference.
The fire was reported at about 5 a.m., and although it was limited mostly to the basement and first floor the building is now unusable, Calvi said. No one was injured.
There have been several smaller fires in the neighborhood recently and investigators are looking into possible connections.
Authorities are investigating the fire that heavily damaged the Martin Luther King Community Presbyterian Church
Published December 29, 2020
A fire early Monday morning at a Massachusetts church with a predominantly Black congregation is considered ``highly suspicious and is being investigated as a possible arson, authorities said.
City, state and federal authorities are investigating the fire that heavily damaged the Martin Luther King Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi said at a news conference.
The fire was reported at about 5 a.m., and although it was limited mostly to the basement and first floor the building is now unusable, Calvi said. No one was injured.
Fire at Black church being investigated as possible arson
December 28, 2020 GMT
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) A fire early Monday morning at a Massachusetts church with a predominantly Black congregation is considered “highly suspicious” and is being investigated as a possible arson, authorities said.
City, state and federal authorities are investigating the fire that heavily damaged the Martin Luther King Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi said at a news conference.
The fire was reported at about 5 a.m., and although it was limited mostly to the basement and first floor the building is now unusable, Calvi said. No one was injured.
Fire at Black church in Springfield is ‘highly suspicious’; $5K reward offered for information leading to arrest
Updated Dec 28, 2020;
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Update: In an afternoon press briefing, investigators said the fire remains suspicious but a cause has not yet been determined.
Update: Investigators left the scene shortly before 8 p.m. and will resume the search for a cause on Tuesday morning.
SPRINGFIELD The fire that heavily damaged the Martin Luther King Community Presbyterian Church, a predominantly black church near Mason Square, is being investigated as a possible arson, and local, state and federal investigators are looking to find who is responsible, officials said.