Reward doubles in church arson fire

Authorities have doubled the reward for information leading to an arrest in a fire that destroyed a church under construction in Springfield.

The reward has been increased from $5,000 to $10,000. The announcement Monday was made jointly by the state fire marshal, the Springfield fire commissioner, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The early-morning blaze on Nov. 5 destroyed the Macedonia Church of God in Christ's new building, which was a few months away from opening.

Investigators later ruled the fire was intentionally set, but found no evidence of a hate crime. The church serves a predominantly black congregation.

Fire Marshal Stephen Coan says investigators believe that someone in the community has information that will help solve the case.