Accelerant Used, No Person of Interest in Macon Church Arson Investigation

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Investigators have a few leads, but have no persons of interest in the fire that burned down a portion of Reaching Souls Cathedral of Praise Apostolic Church.

"There are multiple points of origin," Macon-Bibb Fire Chief Marvin Riggins said, "and there was some type of accelerant that could have been used."

Riggins and his team have collaborated with the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the state fire marshal as the group continues to search for the arsonist. A petroleum-based accelerant was found at the scene, and Riggins believes the fire started at the sanctuary.

"It doesn't seem like there was any forced entry point," Riggins said.

Residents in the area tell 41 NBC, they believe a group of neighborhood boys may have sparked the blaze. Shirley Searcy says she has no idea who is behind it. But she hopes they find whoever is responsible.

"That's scary," Searcy said, "why I don't know, I don't know why people do some of the things they do."

Investigators are offering $10,000 for information leading to an arrest or conviction in this case. Anyone with information is asked to call the arson hotline at 1-800-282-5804.