Late Wednesday night, a fire started at Briar Creek Road Baptist Church, a predominantly black church in Charlotte, North Carolina. The fire took a team of 75 firefighters more than an hour to extinguish, and by the time it was out, it had destroyed part of the building, causing an estimated $250,000 in damage. Now, investigators from the local fire department say the evidence shows that the fire was set intentionally. The investigators are looking into suspects, saying it could possibly be a hate crime. The fire damaged the church’s classrooms and summer camp area for kids, but it left the sanctuary untouched, so the church will continue to hold services. The church’s pastor told WCNC that he has already forgiven whoever set the fire. “Buildings can be repaired. They can be built over,” he said. “This is the opportunity for God to touch the hearts of individuals” …
