EXACT CAUSE OF HOBBS CHAPEL FIRE UNCERTAIN

Two investigators from the state fire marshal's office and a Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department sergeant for the last two days have been sifting through the blackened remains of the Hobbs Chapel United Methodist Church.

They found some square nails, evidence of the chapel's age, and the transistorized skeleton of the church organ. But they were looking for clues to what started the fire that destroyed the 101-year-old church the day after Thanksgiving.

"I'd say anything's possible," said Sgt. David James of the sheriff's department.

A press release issued by Sheriff Norman Copeland Wednesday states the fire started in the vicinity of an old gas space heater. "But that doesn't mean a lot," James said.

A feeble-looking part of one wall is all that remains of the Highway 177 church itself, while some of the 12-year-old education wing appears intact. A box of religious books, some charred, sits off to one side.

Also looking through the rubble have been state fire marshals Bruce Thurlo of Cape Girardeau and Mike Johnson of West Plains. "We're looking for indicators of an unnatural burn," Thurlo said. "We're going to clear this whole area off," Thurlo said. "We have quite a way to go before we make a determination."

This is the second time the fire scene has been evaluated. The original investigation, conducted by the state fire marshal and the East County Volunteer Fire Department, indicated "some unusual charring," leading to a preliminary assertion that arson may have been involved. The three investigators would not be more specific about the basis for that conclusion.

But the structure was so severely damaged and so much water had collected in the foundation that the initial investigation "was limited and hampered," Copeland said.

Since then, investigators have been able to conduct a thorough examination of the timbers and ashes and have viewed television videotapes that have made them question the arson theory.

The press release issued by Copeland said the investigation thus far has found no reason to suspect the fire was set, stating, "At this point in the investigation, it appears there is no evidence of foul play."

The investigators said it is not unusual for an original determination to be questioned or reversed.

"The bottom line is, we're still not certain what happened," James said.