The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

“THERE was no electrical issue” that caused a church in southern New Providence to burn down in the early morning hours, a pastor told The Tribune yesterday.

Apostle Larick Kemp claimed that renovations that were previously done to the Miracle Faith Praying Station Church of God, “which included electrical wiring, everything was professionally done.”

“We do, however, suspect arson,” he said, having walked through the church hours after it was reduced to rubble.

“I can see that some liquid, most likely lighter fluid, was used because the fire seems to have moved in a straight line,” he added.

When asked why a church would be targeted, Apostle Kemp said that he and other members of the sanctuary had complained to the police about some previous harassments and threats made by a person known to the founding bishop of the church.

“Bishop Claudius Campbell is in fear for his life because if they can do that to the church, what will they do to him?” he asked.

According to Fire Services Chief Walter Evans, the fire branch of police responded within 10 minutes of reports of a fire on Marshall Road. Upon arrival, they saw fire and smoke coming from a single story structure that they later discovered was a church.

Officers extinguished the fire, but are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the source of the blaze.

The Tribune understands that there was an ongoing dispute over rights of access to the church before yesterday’s incident.

No one has been arrested in connection with this fire.