Fire officials say arson caused blaze at black Ga. church

MACON, Ga. (AP) Authorities say a fire that damaged a predominantly black church in middle Georgia has been ruled an arson.

A fire was reported at God's Power of Christ Church in Macon early Tuesday morning. Macon-Bibb County Fire Sgt. Ben Gleaton told local media that investigators determined the fire was intentionally set, but didn't provide details on what led authorities to their conclusion.

Gleaton says there's no evidence indicating that the fire was a hate crime.

Authorities have said electronics and other equipment had also been stolen from the building in two burglaries.

Firefighters in Charlotte, North Carolina have said a blaze at a black church there on Wednesday morning was also arson.

The fires come roughly a week after a white gunman targeted nine black churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina.