PINEVILLE, N.C. — A playground fire at a church in Pineville is being investigated as a possible arson, officials said.
The senior pastor at Harrison United Methodist Church on Lancaster Highway said another pastor noticed smoke Sunday night and feared the church was on fire.
The church was holding a service at the time, which had several congregation members inside.
“They were in the building but didn’t know that the fire was happening,” the Rev. Elizabeth Coppedge-Henley said.
The members are OK, but the preschool playground was destroyed.
The preschool program has been serving the community for decades.
“It's been in business for at least 20 years, has a waiting list for kids,” Coppedge-Henley said.
Despite the damage, the message here is still one of hope and forgiveness.
“If there is a troubled individual, we're called to pray for that person and to reach out to them,” the pastor said.
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