CNA Staff, May 22, 2020 / 14:00 pm
Authorities are investigating the burning of a Mississippi church as a potential arson. The fire comes less than a month after the church filed suit arguing the city's stay-at-home order was unconstitutional.
First Pentecostal Church of Holly Springs, located in the city of Holly Springs, MS, was destroyed by a fire on Wednesday, May 20. Firefighters responded to the blaze at approximately 2 a.m., and were unable to save the building.
Fire investigators described the incident as an "explosion" from the back of the church, which further damaged the front of the building. The church has been declared a total loss.
At the scene, several cans of spray paint were recovered. A message reading "Bet you stay home now you hypokrits [sic]" was found painted on the church's parking lot.