LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A vacant church building in Little Rock was heavily damaged by a fire some neighbors believe may have been intentionally set.
The blaze broke out at the First Baptist Church of Little Rock, also known as Ernie’s Museum of Black Arkansas, late Monday evening. The building, long closed and in a state of disrepair, hadn’t been used in several years. According to a man who was looking to buy the property, the structure had previously served multiple purposes before falling vacant.
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The Little Rock Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire, though some neighbors believe it may have been arson. The Little Rock Fire Department said the property had someone overseeing it, and that individual had been contacted by fire officials about the damage.
Neighbors said they first noticed something was wrong late Monday night when thick smoke began rising above the church…