HOBBS CHAPEL FIRE MIGHT BE AN ARSON CASE

A blaze Friday that destroyed the Hobbs Chapel United Methodist Church may have been arson, a fire official said Saturday.

"It is of suspicious origin," said Jim Hanks, chief of the East County Fire Department. He said an investigation by a state fire marshal indicates there's "a strong possibility" of arson.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, he said. "It's just like a murder case. It's always open."

Hanks said he expects to receive a final report from the fire marshal's office, although that could take several months.

The 101-year-old church along County Road 657 was left a smoldering ruin by the fire.

The blaze was reported to the fire department around 9 a.m. Friday. Volunteer firefighters arrived to find the frame church and adjoining education center fully engulfed in smoke and flames.

A fire marshal from West Plains and East County fire officials inspected the scene for about three hours Friday night.

"We were going over it, sifting through the rubble," said Hanks.

Fire officials have concluded that the blaze was not caused by any gas or electric malfunction. The church had three gas furnaces, Hanks said.

The fire started on the north side of the structure, toward the rear of the building, Hanks said.

There's no report of any suspicious activity occurring near the church just prior to the fire. Hanks said, however, that the church was broken into and vandalized last January.