Predominantly White Church Burns in Fire

COLUMBIA, Tenn. — Fire destroyed a 4,000-square-foot church with a congregation predominantly white early Sunday.

FBI agents joined state investigators in combing through the wreckage of the New Smyrna Church of Christ. The church is located in rural Maury County about 40 miles south of Nashville.

There have been more than 70 suspicious fires at church properties belonging to predominantly black congregations in Southern states since 1995. An equal number of fires have been reported at churches with white congregations in the region.