Authorities say arson behind church fire

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Nov. 9 (UPI) -- The fire that destroyed a church under construction in Springfield, Mass., was arson, law enforcement officials say.

State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan said the fire that destroyed the Macedonian Church of God in Christ was intentionally set Wednesday, but there was no conclusive evidence the arson was a hate crime, the Boston Globe reported Sunday.

The church's congregation is primarily black and the fire was set the day after Barack Obama was elected U.S. president, the Globe noted.

Hampden District Attorney William M. Bennett said all efforts would be taken to ensure those responsible for the blaze were apprehended.

"We know it's arson. We know it's a very serious crime and we're going to do everything we can to identify the perpetrator and to prosecute that person or persons responsible," Bennett said.

The Globe said the church construction project was nearly 75 percent complete when the fire occurred.