Area church fires under investigation

Two church fires – one in Aiken and one in Charlotte, N.C. – are being closely investigated by authorities, officials say.

The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an early morning fire that broke out at the Glover Grove Baptist Church around 3:26 a.m. Friday morning, spokesman Captain Eric M. Abdullah with the sheriff’s office said in a statement. Fire crews responding to a 911 call for a structure fire found the church, on the west side of Aiken, fully involved.

Forensic investigators, with assistance from SLED and the FBI, were called to determine the origin and cause of the fire. There were no injuries reported from the fire.

Officials are continuing to investigate and additional information will be released as it becomes available, Abdullah said.

Meanwhile, the pastor of a predominantly black church on the east side of Charlotte damaged by a fire that authorities believe was intentionally set says he forgives whoever was responsible and wants to move forward.

WBTV in Charlotte quotes the Rev. Mannix Kinsey of Briar Creek Road Baptist Church as saying that he was afraid at first the church would be destroyed by the early Wednesday morning fire. But Kinsey said the damage wasn't as bad as he thought it could be.

Kinsey said he speaks for the church in forgiving whoever started the fire, which damaged a wing of the building that houses education.

The rest of the property, including the sanctuary and gymnasium, has smoke damage. A Charlotte Fire Department investigator said total damage is estimated at more than $250,000.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This story was originally published June 26, 2015 at 9:34 AM with the headline "Area church fires under investigation."