Urgent: Two Churches in North Carolina Set Ablaze by Arsonist

BREAKING: Two churches in Casar, North Carolina, were intentionally set on fire on Friday night, October 20, 2023. The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office reports that the fires occurred between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. in a town of approximately 300 residents, located northwest of Charlotte.

Both Tabernacle Baptist Church and Calvary’s Cross Baptist Church were targeted by an arsonist in this shocking act. Fortunately, local citizens played a heroic role, spotting the flames and quickly extinguishing the fires before they caused significant damage.

Pastor Homer Tessner of Tabernacle Baptist Church credited a church member who happened to be passing by for noticing the fire, stating, “If it wasn’t for them, it might not be here yet.” Fire officials confirmed that Calvary’s Cross Baptist Church suffered minor damage to its siding, thanks to the swift actions of nearby residents.

Local authorities are actively investigating the incidents, and no arrests have been made yet. Witnesses reported that some passersby, on their way to a camping trip, used their water and tea to help douse the flames at Calvary’s Cross Baptist Church.

The small community of Casar is reeling from this unprecedented attack. Pastor Billy Boone of Calvary’s Cross Baptist Church expressed disbelief, saying, “We’ve never had anything like this happen before, and the church has been in existence for 50 years.”

The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the bravery of the citizens who intervened, describing them as “true heroes.” The events have sparked discussions among residents about safety and community vigilance in light of this alarming situation.

As the investigation unfolds, community members are urged to remain alert and report any suspicious activity. Authorities are focused on identifying the perpetrator of this shocking act against places of worship.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops—this is a critical moment for the Casar community and for faith-based organizations across the region.